A passenger bus traveling along the Juba-Nimule Highway in South Sudan was ambushed and set ablaze by unknown gunmen on Tuesday morning, leaving dozens of passengers, including soldiers, feared dead. Security forces are still assessing the full extent of the casualties.
The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) confirmed that an interstate passenger bus operated by Babeto Coach Services was ambushed on Tuesday morning along the Juba-Nimule Highway. The attackers reportedly set the bus on fire after the ambush at Lakarakak, a stretch between Nyerjebe and Kubi, killing dozens of passengers, including soldiers who were traveling on board.
SSPDF spokesperson Gen. Lul Ruai Koang speaking on Radio Tamazuj that the military’s operational forces responded swiftly, dispersing the gunmen. However, the number of casualties remains unclear. “Yes, I have received that information from the operations department, but we still lack concrete details on the number of passengers killed or injured, as well as the identity of the attackers,” he said.
Koang added that security forces had been dispatched to the scene and further information would be released once they had more clarity on the situation.
Maj. David Khasmiro, Inspector of Police in Nimule Town Council, also confirmed the ambush, stating that while details remain scant, the bus had been completely burned. “We are still awaiting more information, but what is clear is that the vehicle was set on fire,” Khasmiro said.
The Juba-Nimule Highway, which links South Sudan’s capital to Uganda, has long been a critical transit route for passengers and goods. However, the route has been prone to attacks by armed groups, raising fears about safety and security for travelers in the region.
The attack comes at a time when South Sudan is striving to implement peace agreements following years of civil war. The ambush underscores the challenges the government faces in stabilizing the country, even as efforts to rebuild and foster economic development continue.
Regional authorities have called for increased security measures along the highway, which is not only a lifeline for South Sudan but also a critical route for regional trade with Uganda and beyond.
