Western Equatoria Minister survives gun attack

The Western Equatoria State Minister of Information and Communication William Baiki has survived an assassination attempt after his residence was attacked on Tuesday night.

The Press Secretary in the Office of Governor Alex Daniel said the guards managed to arrest one of the attackers who he said would be investigated to reveal the identities and motives of the attackers.

“Yambio is generally ok but yesterday (Tuesday), the house of the information minister and communication was attacked by armed men and his guards captured one of them,” Daniel told the City Review on Wednesday.

Daniel said there was no casualty in the attack, and both the minister and his bodyguards were safe.

When contacted for the details about the arrested suspect, the State Deputy Police Commission, Mag. Gen. Essain Girisi said he had just arrived from a mission and could not comment on the matter.

“I cannot tell you because I do not have the details yet, I have just arrived at 11 am this morning (Wednesday) but I heard about the incident. You can call the police commissioner for more details,” said Maj. Gen. Girish.

The incident is the latest in series of attacks on the state government officials and religious leaders in Western Equatoria coming in recent months amidst growing inter-communal violence in the area.

In August, unknown gunmen attacked the same place in an attempt to kill Mr. Adriano. And, in a separate incident in September, the house of the Mayor and Yambio Commissioner were also attacked. No arrest was made.

In July, a bodyguard of the Minister of Health was killed during an attack by armed men when he was on an official mission.

This month, the Bishop of Ibba County was attacked by gunmen on his way back from Maridi County, transporting pupils affected during the mass drug campaign in the county.