Malakal, July 23, 2026 (SSNA) — At least nine passengers were killed after a boat traveling from Upper Nile and Unity states to Juba was ambushed at the Jurwach checkpoint along the River Nile in Jonglei State’s Twic County last Friday.
A survivor said the boat was carrying 13 passengers when unidentified attackers struck, killing nine people and leaving four survivors. The assailants also seized the boat following the attack.
The survivor appealed to the Jonglei State government to improve security along the river, describing it as a vital transport route for residents of Upper Nile, Unity State, and the Ruweng Administrative Area.
Abraham Agoot, chairperson of the Jonglei State Boats Union, confirmed the incident, saying the victims included a mother and her two children.
Unity State Information Minister Nyakenya Johannes Keah Ruai told reporters that she had not been informed of the attack, while attempts to obtain comment from the Jonglei State Ministry of Information and Telecommunications were unsuccessful.