A student from Arengesiep Secondary School in Nabilatuk district has been shot dead by the security forces while on a cattle raiding mission.
Idoo Lokwakori, aged 20 years old, a senior three student was shot dead in Nagule -Angolo village, Ngoloriet Sub County, Napak district. The deceased was reportedly moving with 13 other warriors armed with four firearms.
Michael Longole, the Mt. Moroto regional police spokesperson said that the deceased was put out of action at 1:00am on Thursday night when the team of armed warriors met with the forces that were on patrol duties.
Longole said that the student was killed while attempting to steal cows from the cattle Kraal in Nagule -Angolo village nearing the next village where warriors killed a teacher on the same night.
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Longole revealed that the body of the deceased was transported by the security to his home and handed over to the relatives for burial in Nabilatuk. He observed that students have also been coordinating with cattle raiders to steal cows which they sell to get pocket money.
‘’Whether you are a student or not, our forces will not spare you provided they have caught you in a criminal act,” explained Longole. He warned the students to desist from the vice but instead focus on their studies for the betterment of their future.
Jonathan Angella, an Elder in Kangole town council blamed hunger for the ongoing cattle thefts in the region. He noted that the youth have been left idle and this gives them much time to think of criminal acts for survival.
Angella noted that since the government pledged to support the youth who hand over their guns, nothing has been materialized making the youth feel cheated. He appealed to the government to consider fulfilling the pledges of supporting the reformed warriors so that they are not attempted to go back to the bush.
“These boys have started again their evil acts, and the situation this time will be worse because there is no food and the only way to survive is through raiding cows to sell,” said Angella.
Julius Etorom Lote, a resident of Naiwoikorot village in Ngoloriet Sub County observed that this is not the first time students are being killed during cattle raids.
“You also know the poverty in Karamoja, so these students are lured into cattle theft because they know that after they can sell the stolen livestock and get pocket money,” said Lote.
He appealed to the government to enroll the youth into skilling programs so that they are able to make money using their own hands instead of raiding cattle.
