Authorities in the now-defunct Eastern Lakes State say one person was killed in Yirol East county of Lakes State allegedly for stealing four cows. The stolen cows were later recovered by security forces.

The incident occurred between Nyang town and Lekakedu Payam of Yirol East county last Wednesday.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the secretary-general of the defunct Eastern Lakes State Barnaba Mayor Deng said the man was killed after he was suspected of stealing cattle.

Deng said all the four cows stolen from the cattle camp were recovered by the police and returned to their rightful owners.

"The raider that was killed was not from Kuacdit or Kuacthii. But he was from northern Yirol of the Ajiak community. He was killed while he stole cattle," said Mayor.

He urged the youth to desist from cattle theft. 

"All our borders of Rumbek East, Mvolo are free from rampant cattle raidings and theft except our border with Panyijar county of Unity State where some youth from there cross to raid cattle from Yirol East county of Lakes State," he said.

However, the local leader noted that the peaceful disarmament exercise introduced by the governor of Lakes State had reduced the levels of cattle theft and killings in the state.