Cattle raider kills herdsman, steals 20 cattle in Warrap’s Twic County

KUAJOK – A cattle herder was killed, and 20 head of cattle were stolen in a violent late-night raid carried out by unidentified armed assailants in Aweng Payam of Twic County in South Sudan’s Warrap State, local authorities said.

The incident occurred at around 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday in Goi-Yom village, where the victim, identified as 20-year-old Deng Awolok Deng, was guarding cattle at a remote livestock camp. Residents say he was alone at the time of the attack, making him particularly vulnerable to the assailants who struck under the cover of darkness.

According to local officials, the attackers appeared to have carefully planned the raid, waiting until residents had retired for the night before moving into the cattle camp. They reportedly overpowered the young herdsman, tied his hands behind his back, and blindfolded him before proceeding to drive away the cattle.

Aweng Payam Police Inspector Riing Mayuat confirmed the incident, saying the attackers later shot the victim in the head after restraining him. He described the attack as swift and highly coordinated, suggesting the assailants were familiar with the area and movement patterns of local herders.

“The unfortunate incident occurred on Tuesday night at around 10:00 p.m. The raiders attacked Deng Awolok Deng, a 20-year-old man, at Goi-Yom village in Aweng Payam. They later shot him in the head, and the sound of gunfire awakened residents,” Mayuat said.

He added that the victim was later discovered by nearby residents in a critical condition, bleeding heavily before succumbing to his injuries. The stolen cattle, estimated at 20 head, were driven away during the raid despite attempts by local youth to pursue the attackers immediately after the incident.

Community members organised a search effort shortly after the attack in an attempt to recover the stolen livestock, but authorities confirmed that the efforts did not yield any results.

Police officials have since urged cattle owners across the area to improve security at livestock camps, including grouping cattle in more secure locations and maintaining night surveillance to reduce exposure to similar attacks. Inspector Mayuat emphasised the need for communities to remain vigilant, noting that cattle raids have continued to pose a serious threat to lives and livelihoods in the region.

The latest killing adds to a growing list of cattle-related violence incidents reported in Warrap State and other parts of South Sudan, where livestock theft has often escalated into deadly confrontations. Residents in affected areas have repeatedly expressed concern over the persistence of such attacks, blaming weak security presence and limited law enforcement response in remote communities.

Local leaders have also pointed to ongoing tensions between neighbouring communities as a contributing factor to recurring insecurity, despite repeated calls for peaceful coexistence and government-led disarmament initiatives. However, many residents argue that these efforts have yet to produce lasting results on the ground.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing, but no arrests had been made at the time of reporting.