Two young men Killed in separate shootings in Nagero County, WES

Two young men, including a Senior Two student identified as David, have reportedly been killed in separate shooting incidents allegedly involving soldiers of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in Nagero County, Western Equatoria State. The incidents occurred on Thursday and Friday, according to Nagero County Executive Director Bernardo Gabriel Amin, who said the killings had heightened fear among residents already affected by displacement and recent fighting in the area. Amin said both alleged shooters had been arrested and taken to military barracks, while calling on the government to take action to protect civilians and restore public confidence. David was reportedly shot dead on Thursday near Freedom Square while returning home from the market, where he had gone to buy vegetables.

According to Amin, the soldier allegedly encountered David at the market before following him to an area near a mango tree opposite Freedom Square, where the shooting occurred. David’s sister reportedly arrived at the scene shortly afterwards and found him dead. David’s father, Michael Natale, said the family had previously been displaced to Bazia following fighting in Nagero County, but his son had later returned home. “My son went to the market to buy vegetables. As he was going home and reaching Freedom Square, he found a soldier and another boy. The soldier told my son to stop, and when he stopped, he shot him and went away,” Natale said. The second incident reportedly occurred on Friday when another young man, identified as Monday Valerio, was allegedly shot by a soldier while sitting with his parents and friends at the family compound, grinding groundnuts. Amin said the two alleged shooters had been taken into military custody, although details surrounding the suspects…