The attack on the Bebeto bus on Tuesday morning along the Jub-Nimule highway left one person killed, 8 others injured, and several missing.
Maj. Gen Lul Ruai Koang, Spokesperson for South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) blamed the deadly attack on the armed opposition National Salvation Front (NAS) led by Thomas Cirilo Swaka.
“There was a major incident along Juba-Nimule road, and that was a deliberate ambush on Bebeto bus service, one person was killed and a total of 8 people were injured including a personnel from the National Security Service internal security bureau,” said Koang during a press conference in Juba.
The attackers after torching the bus fled the scene towards Lobonok payam of Juba County where NAS has a base, according to Koang.
Koang revealed that 7 passengers are feared missing, adding that another reliable source within the military confirmed 14 people missing after the attack.
“NAS has become the number one enemy to the people of South Sudan and the region, the act that was committed this morning is an unforgivable act and the perpetrators will be brought to book and they will pay for it,” he said.
NAS refused to sign the 2018 revitalized peace agreement and remains active south of Juba’s capital.
In August 2022, three catholic nuns were killed following a road ambush along the Juba-Nimule highway.
Several road ambushes have happened along the busy highway linking to neighboring Uganda, following renewed fighting between the government forces and the armed opposition in July 2016.
