Authorities in Lakes State have freed eight traders from Panyijiar County, Unity State, who were kidnapped by armed men over the weekend in Yirol East County.
The victims — among them a woman who gave birth while in captivity — were handed over to their relatives in Awerial County on Wednesday, along with 62 cattle and one goat recovered during the rescue.
Awerial County Commissioner Philip Mawut Deng confirmed the handover, saying it followed directives from the Lakes State governor. “We found them in the area of Ramciel under the protection of a soldier who rescued them. We brought them to Awerial and handed them over to their relatives,” he said.
Panyijiar County Commissioner Gabriel Majok Bol also confirmed the release, thanking the Awerial leadership and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) for their role in securing the victims. He dismissed reports of ransom payments, stressing the group was freed without conditions.
The traders had been kidnapped on September 14 when armed youth attacked their boat along the border between Lakes and Jonglei states. They have since been reunited with their families in Juba.
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