Mundri Official Says 78 Abducted Civilians Have Been Freed

Survivors describe robbery, beatings and burned vehicles on the Juba–Mundri road. Earlier passenger counts and the latest reported total have yet to be reconciled.

MUNDRI EAST — A county official says at least 78 civilians abducted on the Juba–Mundri road on 26 September have been released after as many as four days in captivity. Survivors interviewed by Radio Tamazuj described armed men stopping several vehicles, taking belongings, burning vehicles and forcing passengers into the bush.

Benson George Papa, the Mundri East executive director, said a group of about 40 arrived at a police station early Wednesday, including 29 men and 11 women, with children among them. He said eight others had been released earlier and put the total freed at 78. The published account does not explain how those groups add up to 78. No deaths have been reported, but the number of passengers originally taken and whether anyone is still missing need a reconciled passenger list.

Survivors’ accounts

Pastor Elisama Gideon said roughly 40 people were taken from his group, including four children with their mothers. He described theft, the burning of a Land Cruiser and men being beaten or restrained. Survivor Nora Baraka said more than five vehicles were stopped and captives had to carry food and other supplies through the bush. These accounts illuminate the attack but do not yet establish how many people were taken across all vehicles.

Gideon said men and women were separated and that he could not speak to what happened to the women. Earlier county reporting relayed allegations of sexual violence from some released women. Those allegations require survivor-centred, confidential verification; no survivor should be identified or pressed for details without informed consent and protection arrangements.

Survivors described the attackers as “guerrillas.” A suspected link to an opposition group is unverified. No group should be named as responsible without evidence.

Why the counts need checking

Previous reports on the weekend corridor attacks cited 17 people at first, then about 32 abducted and 27 released; another local official spoke of 11 still missing. The new reported release total is much higher. Authorities should establish whether the figures refer to different vehicles or groups, revised counts from one incident, or more than one attack. The accounts must not be added together or used to declare that every missing person is safe.

The road connects Juba with communities and markets in Western Equatoria. Police should explain the security response, any negotiations or payments, arrests, and what protection now covers passenger and humanitarian traffic. Medical and psychosocial care should be available confidentially to all survivors who need it.