Yei Paramount Chief Kidnappers Demanded $16,000 Before Releasing Victims for Free

(YEI) – Paramount Chief Joseph Brown Lo Mose and two humanitarian workers who were abducted earlier this week in Yei River County, Central Equatoria, have been released, local authorities confirmed on Thursday, 10 July 2025.

The group was kidnapped at gunpoint on Monday, 7 July 2025, while travelling to Pisak village in Logo Boma for a scheduled community peace dialogue. According to Yei River County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban, the incident was a serious violation against peace and humanity in the area.

Commissioner Taban revealed that the abductors demanded a ransom of over 16,000 US dollars, equivalent to approximately 74.4 million South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) at the official July 2025 exchange rate of $1 = 4,650 SSP. However, he stressed that no ransom was paid and that all the captives were eventually freed unconditionally.

“The abductors initially released a local government official and the driver but later demanded 16,000 US dollars for the release of the remaining hostages. As a county government, we have no mandate to pay any ransom,” Taban said.

He urged armed groups operating in the area to refrain from such acts, warning that abductions continue to destabilise the fragile peace and endanger both civilians and aid workers.

Paramount Chief Lo Mose, speaking after his release, said he was physically unharmed but emotionally and mentally drained due to being repeatedly moved to different unknown locations in the bush.

“We left on Monday for a peace dialogue with ONAD, a national organisation, along with the Otogo Payam Director, two humanitarian workers and a driver from Yei Town,” Lo Mose said.

According to the chief, the abductors released Otogo Payam Director Noel Taban and the driver soon after the incident. The two aid workers were then released on Tuesday. Lo Mose remained in captivity alone until Thursday afternoon when he too was released.

Local civil society leaders condemned the abduction. Arkanjilo Modi, Chairperson of the Civil Society Network in Yei, strongly criticised the targeting of humanitarian and peace workers.

“Such actions are unacceptable. Civil society and aid organisations must be allowed to carry out their work without fear. Peacebuilding and service delivery cannot happen under threat,” Modi said.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Joseph Garang, the area commander of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) for Yei and Morobo Counties, addressed the situation during the 14th Independence Day celebrations at Yei Freedom Square. He reassured the public that the overall security situation in the area remains stable, although road ambushes and kidnappings by armed groups continue to pose a threat.

“Yei remains calm overall, but road ambushes and abductions are disrupting the movement of civilians and humanitarian workers. We are taking strong steps to restore total peace and security,” said General Garang.