A senior police official has been killed during an attack on the town of Torit in Eastern Equatoria state, South Sudan, which the state governor has blamed on the opposition group SPLA-IO.

Captain Cyprian Oromo, the deputy police chief inspector for Torit County, was shot dead on Tuesday morning after assailants opened fire on the county commissioner’s vehicle.

Governor Louis Lobong said the SPLA-IO had launched “coordinated military raids” on the town, also targeting a military hospital.

The SPLA-IO has not yet commented.

The incident has caused panic among residents, with many fleeing their homes and local markets forced to close.

Speaking to reporters from his office in Torit while wearing military attire, Governor Lobong described the attack as a “declaration of war”.

He stated that at approximately 5 am, one group of SPLA-IO forces launched an armed raid on the Torit military hospital. Simultaneously, he said, another group advanced from the direction of the Enyief area and opened fire on the official vehicle of the Torit County Commissioner, resulting in the death of Captain Oromo.

Governor Lobong connected the attack to a pattern of recent violence in the region, accusing the SPLA-IO of being behind multiple road ambushes and a previous raid on a security office in Kapoeta.

“Despite persistent provocations, the government of Eastern Equatoria state has consistently advocated for peaceful coexistence,” Governor Lobong said. “However, these latest assaults amount to a declaration of war against the government and the peace-loving people of Eastern Equatoria State.”

He urged citizens to remain vigilant and instructed government forces to “take the necessary measures to defend the people and properties”.

REPORT BY: Radio Tamazuj