A 29-year-old woman narrowly escaped a rape attempt along the Torit–Oudo Road while returning home from her garden, according to state police.
Eastern Equatoria Police Spokesperson Major Justine Kleopus Takuru said the woman and a companion were attacked by three unidentified men. One woman managed to flee, leaving the other behind to fend off the attackers.
“The woman was rescued by a member of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces,” Takuru stated.“The woman said they were returning from harvesting groundnuts when they were confronted by three men near a volume tree. Her companion ran, but she couldn’t. One of the attackers tried to undress her.
She untied her child from her back and fought them off until a soldier arrived, and the men fled into the bush.”
Major Takuru noted that the attackers spoke the Lotuko language, and investigations are ongoing. “The woman doesn’t know the attackers, but they spoke Lotuko. We’re gathering more information. We’ve asked local chiefs to help identify suspects. T
his is the first reported case this year, although a similar incident occurred last year in Odingkolong. We urge people, especially women, to travel in groups for safety, especially when going to the gardens.”
