Officials in Tonj North County of Warrap State say they have arrested 16 young men alleged to have beaten a man to death on Thursday last week.

Tonj North County Commissioner Kuol Akoon told Radio Tamazuj that the incident happened in Pankot Boma of Manalor Payam. 

Akoon said the 16 are in police custody pending investigations. 

"What happened is that a group of youth with new initial marks on their heads as traditions have beaten a man who was older than them on 28 September and the man has died in the hospital. The county authorities then controlled the situation when the relatives of the deceased wanted to revenge," he said. "We have arrested 16 youth and the responsibility of murder fell in the hands of two people and the case is still going on." 

Meanwhile, Agok Ayaar, Warrap state acting minister of information said the victim, a 32-year-old man whose name has not been revealed was beaten up with sticks.

"Tensions between the two families arose and the family of late insisted that one person from the initiated youth should be killed but county authorities intervened and persuaded them," he added. 

Ayaar stressed that justice will be done as he called on the victim's family to avoid revenge and let the law take its course.