At least two people have been killed by a group of gunmen in Rumbek Centre County of South Sudan’s Lakes State on Thursday, police and local leaders said.

Brig. Gen. Makur Dak, the state’s deputy police commissioner, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that the attack was launched on Kuel-Malony village of Amongpiny Payam.

The police officer said the attackers are believed to be from Panyijiar County of Unity state. He revealed that the incident resulted in the killing of at least two people and wounding of one person.

“We have deployed eight policemen in Amongpiny Payam to provide adequate security there. We will also provide security patrols along the main road between Amongpiny and Rumbek East County,” Makur said.

The deputy police commissioner called on armed youth from Panyijiar County to stop such attacks and embrace peace in the area.

Jul Machok, the Paramount Chief of Amongpiny Payam, called on the state government to deploy enough forces to protect civilians and their properties from armed groups.

 “My people are very vulnerable because we don’t have no enough police forces deployed in the area. So I am appealing for help from Lakes State government to deploy enough security forces in Amongpiny Payam, “Machok appealed.

Mawat Mangar, the Executive Chief of Amongpiny Payam, said: “The identity of the attackers remains unclear, but their footmarks headed toward Panyijiar County.”

Officials in Unity state could not immediately be reached for comment.