At least two SSPDF soldiers have been killed and more than 70 cattle stolen in Ikotos town during a cattle raid on Wednesday afternoon. 

The chief inspector of police in Ikotos county, Mathew Ochan Jacob, told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the gunmen attacked part of the town at 2 pm and engaged in a confrontation with security forces. 

“In the process of raiding there was an exchange of fire with some organized forces. They killed two people from our side here by name of Sergeant James Piol Pot of the SSPDF, he bought cattle from Kapoeta and he wanted to go and sell in Uganda. But upon arrival here, they slept and were attacked on Wednesday," he said.

He added, “All these cattle were looted and taken by the gangs who attacked the area. The other person is a sergeant from the Wounded Heroes, Sergeant Philip Amunyo James.”

The police officer said the cattle have not been recovered and they await directives from the state government.  

Ochan urged the youth in the area to desist from cattle raids and allow peace to prevail in the region.

A member of parliament representing Ikotos county at the state assembly Alphonse Muras Chacha condemned the killings saying it disrupts peace in the area.

"I am saddened about it especially when it involves losing lives. Up to now, we have not even identified where these criminals are coming from because the footmarks show that they have gone downwards even passing Lofi. For now, we cannot speculate who was involved in the raid but over time, it will be known," he assured.

However, the police suspect a group of youth from Ikotos and Torit counties of being behind the deadly raid.

Police say this is the second time a cattle raid has been carried out in broad daylight in Ikotos county. The first incident was in 2015.