The Lakes State government has urgently called for a full investigation and swift justice following a brutal raid on a cattle camp that left several herders dead and dozens more displaced.
The attack, which took place at dawn yesterday in Mapuordit Payam, targeted a nomadic cattle camp hosting hundreds of livestock. Local officials report that armed assailants ambushed the camp, opening fire on herders and setting fire to shelters. Preliminary estimates suggest at least **six men were killed**, while numerous others sustained injuries. Shocked survivors fled, abandoning their cattle and essential belongings.
Governor Chol Tong Mayay of Lakes State condemned the assault in strong terms. “This cowardly act violates the rights of our pastoral communities and threatens the peace and stability we strive to maintain,” he stated. He urged national authorities to deploy security forces immediately, launch an impartial investigation, and ensure suspects are swiftly held accountable and herders compensated.
Community leaders confirmed that the raid has reignited fears of revenge attacks and sparked panic among remaining pastoralist populations. “We cannot sleep in peace or tend to our animals without fear,” one herder said. He added that women and children have also been affected, forced to seek refuge in nearby villages.
In response, Lakes State’s security committee has mobilized law enforcement and wildlife rangers to the area to protect other cattle camps and prevent further violence. “We will not stand idly by while these crimes continue,” declared the state’s Security Advisor.
Humanitarian agencies are coordinating emergency aid for the displaced families, delivering food, tents, and medical care. The United Nations and NGOs have also been notified and are preparing to support relief efforts, pending government approval.
Experts warn that unless justice is promptly delivered and herders feel secure, the raid could trigger a cycle of retaliation and destabilise broader community relations in Lakes State.
For now, the government’s demand for action underscores the urgency of restoring calm, punishing perpetrators, and rebuilding trust among pastoralist communities that continue to feed the region’s economy and cultural heritage.
