Seven civilians abducted, soldier killed in fresh attacks in Maridi

By Emmanuel Mandella

Armed assailants abducted seven civilians and killed a South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) soldier in a Thursday morning ambush in Maridi County, unleashing fears of renewing insecurity in Western Equatoria State.

According to Maridi County Commissioner Alfred Mirri Mathias, the attack happened at Land Morro area, about nine miles from Maridi town. He confirmed that civilians were targeted before government troops engaged the gunmen in a fierce exchange.

“These criminals ambushed and abducted seven people. They also attacked SSPDF soldiers, killing one and critically injuring another. Some of the abductees have since been rescued, though others ar still missing. The situation is now calm, and forces are still in pursuit of the attackers,” Commissioner Mirri told The City Review.

Paramount Chief Daniel James Bakindo condemned the assault, revealing that most victims were young men working on nearby farms. He urged those bearing arms to reconsider their path.

“My appeal to the youth is to stop taking up arms against their own people. These attacks disrupt farming, destroy livelihoods, and put families at risk. We must find peaceful solutions instead of spilling more blood,” Bakindo said.

Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Philip Madut Tong reported that one woman is still missing, with search underway.

The attackers have not yet been identified, but Maridi County and the wider Western Equatoria region have been flashpoints of sporadic violence, often attributed to the presence of armed groups such as the National Salvation Front (NAS) and factions of the opposition SPLA-IO.

Beyond Maridi, strategic routes including Yei, the Juba–Mundri highway, and the Maridi–Yambio road remain highly volatile, with travelers frequently targeted by ambushes and kidnappings.

Analysts warn that such insecurity not only threatens civilian lives but also hampers humanitarian access and disrupts trade vital for the country’s struggling economy.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for Thursday’s assault, but local leaders fear the cycle of abductions and killings could intensify if political grievances and armed group activities are not addressed.