Three vehicles burned, passengers briefly abducted in Yambio-Mundri road ambush

The Director of Lui Payam says three vehicles were burned in an ambush along the Yambio-Mundri road in Western Equatoria State, with between 20 and 25 passengers briefly taken by the attackers over the weekend.

More Monica Pasquale, the Director of Lui Payam in Mundri East County, told Eye Radio this morning that the incident occurred on Saturday at midday after three vehicles travelling from Yambio came under attack along the road.

She said the convoy included two Land Cruisers and one Tipa vehicle. Pasquale said two of the vehicles were burned during the attack.

“Those two vehicles were burned, and the Tipa—the head—was burned, and the body is still alive.”

She said between 20 and 25 passengers were taken by the attackers and forced to carry items looted from the vehicles to their base.

Pasquale said the passengers were later released after reaching the armed group’s base.

“They told them, let them come back. And 25, they reached Lanyi to the barracks there. The commander of that place received the passengers.”

She said the passengers were subsequently assisted to continue their journey to Juba by another vehicle travelling from Yambio.

Pasquale said she received confirmation of their release at around 7 p.m. on Saturday from a person who had come from the area.

“I got the information last night around 7 from the guy. He came to me and I asked him, they are already released.”

Pasquale said she had heard that the attackers were members of an opposition armed group, but this claim could not be independently verified by Eye Radio.

The incident comes amid continuing security concerns along roads connecting parts of Western Equatoria State, where attacks on civilian traffic have raised concerns over the safety of travellers and traders.