(Tambura) – A soldier was shot dead and 20 million South Sudanese Pounds (SSP), equivalent to approximately USD 11,765, was stolen during a violent robbery at a petrol station in Tambura County, Western Equatoria State, on Friday night, local authorities confirmed.
According to Tambura County Police Commissioner Mathew Mabenge, the armed attack occurred at around 9:00 p.m. when a group of unidentified gunmen stormed a fuel station operated by Somali nationals. The attackers fatally shot a soldier stationed at the site and threatened four Somali employees before seizing the cash and fleeing the scene.
The slain soldier was identified as Philip Sanangon. The Somali workers were unharmed physically but were left shaken by the ordeal. The police say the group of criminals also took the soldier’s firearm as they escaped.
Security personnel were deployed on Saturday morning to begin investigations, and authorities have appealed to the public to provide any information that could help track down the suspects. Commissioner Mabenge urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
He also called on the government to boost security patrols in the area to protect communities. “The government must increase patrols to protect communities so that people can live peacefully and focus on producing food,” Mabenge said.
The Western Equatoria State Police Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Philip Madut Tong, confirmed the details of the robbery and the theft of the firearm. He also reported a separate unrelated incident that occurred the same night in Yambio, where an unidentified soldier fired gunshots into the air, causing panic among local residents.
Tambura’s acting paramount chief, Thomas Bandaisa, said the identities of the attackers remain unknown but assured that investigations are ongoing.
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