Two people, including a South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) soldier, were killed and six others were injured following a grenade explosion in Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State’s Aweil West County on Monday evening.
A government source, who preferred anonymity because of not being authorized to speak to the media, told Radio Tamazuj that a 35-year-old SSPDF officer detonated a grenade, killing one trader, prompting an angry mob to lynch him. Six other people were injured and rushed to hospital.
The SSPDF soldier deployed to Kiir Adem but who sometimes lived at the Mayong Angok Military Brigade, was reportedly drunk and had differed with someone at the Malith Market, but were separated by the locals, the source said.
The soldier, he explained, was threatening to detonate the grenade in the crowded market, but when he was approached by one trader, who asked about the threats, he detonated it, killing him instantly.
He said the soldier was also injured and tried to escape from the pursuit by an angry mob, who finally caught up with him and killed him.
Aweil West County Police Inspector Lt Col Philip Agany Thiep confirmed the incident, adding that police were investigating the matter.
“Yes, the killer who detonated the grenade that killed one person was also killed and we have collected the names of the people behind the death and will apprehend them after the burial ceremony,” said Thiep.
“Four wounded people were referred to the Aweil Civil Hospital and two others were hospitalized in Nyamlel, Aweil West County,” confirmed the police.
In a related development, authorities in Aweil North County have imposed security measures along its borders with Aweil West County to contain crime.
County Commissioner Kiir Chan Wol announced the resolution on Tuesday in an interview with this publication.
“The incident did not occur in our county, but we are trying to beef up security because Malith is situated on the southern bank of a river that separates Aweil North and Aweil West counties. The suspect is a member of SSPDF’s Brigade 9 that deploys across the counties,” he said.
The Aweil Civil Hospital and Aweil West County health authorities were not available for comment.
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