Two Young Children Rescued After September Abduction Near Juba

(JUBA) – Central Equatoria State authorities have received two young boys who were abducted last month along the Juba to Torit road.

The children aged six and two were taken by armed men on 5 September at Khor Gana in Lokiliri Payam. They were handed over on Tuesday by officials from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.

The handover was conducted at the Central Equatoria State Secretariat during the weekly Security Committee meeting chaired by Governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel. Deputy Governor Paulino Lukudu Obede was also present as the boys were officially received.

Speaking to journalists, Leon Abe Brown, the Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies praised cooperation between authorities in the two regions. He said the recovery was a result of coordination and commitment on both sides.

Gender, Child and Social Welfare Minister Zendia Eluzai Abu confirmed that the boys have already been reunited with their parents. She said her ministry will offer counselling and trauma support to help the children recover.

She condemned child abduction, saying no child should experience such trauma. She noted that being taken from one’s family at a young age can have long term effects.

Her counterpart from GPAA, Elizabeth Kumen, said arrests have been made and investigations are continuing to find other missing children. She said the GPAA government is working to ensure that all suspects involved in such crimes are brought to justice.

Both parents of the rescued boys thanked the authorities for helping secure their children’s return.

The Central Equatoria State Security Committee said it will continue to cooperate with GPAA officials to find abducted children and stop the practice.