Cattle rustlers steal 40 heads of livestock in Turalei Payam, Warrap

An affected cattle owner revealed that the stolen cattle included 36 cows and four bulls, and that local youths had embarked on tracking down the animals.

By The City Review

Authorities in Warrap State reported that 40 heads of livestock were stolen early Monday in Turalei Payam in the state.

Local residents told the media that the animals were stolen at around 3 a.m. after unknown rustlers untied them from their pegs and drove them away while residents were asleep.

Speaker to local radio Mayardit FM, affected cattle owner Yar Ngong said the animals had recently returned from swampy grazing areas, were tied in a farm to provide manure when the cattle raiders untied and drove them away.

“The cattle were tied with ropes and pegs. While people were asleep, the rustlers untied them and drove them away. The incident happened at 3am on Monday. We had tied the animals there for manure, but during the night, the raiders came and took them away,” she said.

Ngong said the stolen cattle included 36 cows and four bulls. And local youths embarked on a mission to tack down the animals.

Confirming the incident, Joseph Mayen, the Inspector of Police in Turalei, described the incident as unusual given that the raid was carried out without alerting nearby residents.

“We have recorded the incident and are working hard to ensure that authorities in neighbouring areas are notified so that the cattle can be recovered peacefully, as has happened in some previous cases,” the Police inspector said, urging residents to remain vigilant.

“People should stay alert and closely monitor their animals, as livestock theft is one of the main causes of conflict in these areas. They should also inform local authorities immediately whenever such incidents occur,” he said.

The incident comes exactly two months after armed raiders targeted cattle herders grazing livestock near the road linking Agook-Nyang and Majook-Noon in Twic County, Warrap State.

At least three people, including one suspected raider, were killed and four others critically injured during the raid.

Inspector Col. Riing Mayot Dhel, the police inspector in Aweng Payam, told local media that the raiders ambushed the boys, forcing them to flee before driving away the cattle.

Upon learning of the raid, local youth and able-bodied men mobilised quickly and pursued the attackers. A confrontation ensued, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including one of the raiders, and leaving four others seriously wounded.

Luckily, the stolen cattle were later recovered after the men pursuing the animals caught up with the raiders.

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“People should stay alert and closely monitor their animals, as livestock theft is one of the main causes of conflict in these areas. They should also inform local authorities immediately whenever such incidents occur,” said Turalei Payam Police Inspector, Joseph Mayen.