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 and the circumstances of the shootings remain unclear.
“These kinds of shootings have not happened before in Nagero County. People are now afraid, but I have announced that nobody should run to the bush because later they may be accused of joining the rebels,” Amin said.
The county official linked the incidents to tensions following recent fighting in Nagero County involving forces associated with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO). However, the alleged connection between the fighting and the shootings has not been independently established.
Amin urged the government to intervene to prevent further violence and ensure civilians can live safely as South Sudan prepares for elections.
“We need peace. The government should look at this situation so that people can live in peace. Civilians are also afraid, and these incidents are creating more fear among the people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Natale questioned what he described as a lack of official communication regarding the killings and expressed concern about how families could seek justice when members of the security forces were accused of committing crimes.
He also recalled civilian deaths during the 2025 fighting in Nagero County, saying the latest incidents had deepened fear among residents and families displaced by the conflict.
Some residents who fled previous fighting have reportedly returned home, while others remain displaced and are waiting for security conditions to improve before returning.
The reported killings have renewed calls from local officials and affected families for accountability, civilian protection and improved security in Nagero County.
As of the accounts provided by Amin and Natale, both alleged shooters had reportedly been taken into military custody. The identities of the suspects, the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the alleged motives remain subject to further investigation.
The SSPDF and other government authorities had not responded to the allegations in the accounts available at the time of publication.
The post Two young men Killed in separate shootings in Nagero County, WES first appeared on Eye Radio.