Security · Western Equatoria

At Least 17 Abducted in Juba–Mundri Road Attacks

Officials report burned vehicles and missing passengers in Mundri East; the counts remain disputed and the attackers unidentified.

South Sudan Press · 29 September 2026

MUNDRI EAST — Unidentified gunmen attacked travellers in separate incidents around Merila and Lanyi on 27 September, burning vehicles and taking passengers into the bush, according to local officials and police.

17abducted, according to the county executive director cited by Radio Tamazuj

20+missing, according to other local reports citing the acting commissioner

2–4vehicles reportedly burned across differing local accounts; the exact count remains unsettled

Radio Tamazuj reported four civilian vehicles burned and 17 people abducted. Standard Zone News reported three vehicles burned and more than 20 passengers missing, while Access Radio Yei also reported more than 20 missing but described a different number of burned vehicles. These figures should not be combined into a single confirmed total.

One man returning from honey collection was reportedly shot in the leg and taken for treatment. Police said officers found burned vehicles and were deployed to the area. No arrests were reported. The identities and whereabouts of the missing passengers have not been confirmed publicly.

Attribution: No group has claimed responsibility. A local official’s accusation against armed opposition groups is not proof of involvement, and South Sudan Press does not attribute the attacks to a specific faction.

Road safety and accountability

The route links Juba with Mundri, Maridi and Yambio. Repeated attacks could affect civilian travel, trade and humanitarian movement. Ceasefire monitors had previously described deteriorating security around Greater Mundri, including reported abductions and displacement.

Authorities should publish a reconciled passenger list, the verified number of vehicles, any contact from kidnappers, and a clear update on road access and the recovery operation. Families also need a direct channel for reporting missing travellers.

Sources: Radio Tamazuj, 28 September · Standard Zone News, 27 September · Access Radio Yei, 27 September. Corrections: editor@southsudanpress.com.