A Kenyan truck driver has been killed in Cueibet County of South Sudan’s Lakes State, officials said.

The driver was reportedly forced by an unknown gunman to divert his truck to a nearby bush where he was shot and killed inside the vehicle on Saturday.

The Lakes State Police Spokesperson, Maj Elijah Mabor Makuac, told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that they were investigating the matter. He identified the driver as Elijah Waidupi.

He said the incident occurred at around 8pm on Sunday at a place called Ajok in Abiriu Payam.

Makuac said the body was first taken to Rumbek before being transferred Juba on Sunday.

A civil society activist in Lakes State, Daniel Laat Kon, said the incident signaled the return of the road ambushes and urged the state government to ensure those responsible were brought to book.

Kon said arresting and prosecuting the culprits would send a warning to other would-be criminals.

“If it starts today, then tomorrow and it continues, it could bring back conflicts and raise fears.

“The road from Bahr el-Ghazal to Equatoria has been safe, and people have been happy to use it without fear,” he said.