By Richard Onapatum
Nakituriket Village, Kakamar Sub County, Kaabong District- A tragic incident unfolded in Nakituriket village, Kaabong district, as a bomb explosion claimed the lives of two young pupils and left two others injured. The victims, identified as Ayollo Lokutai, aged 13, and Lokoel Komol, aged 12, both students of Kakamar Primary School, succumbed to injuries sustained in the blast.
According to eyewitness accounts, the four boys, including the deceased and two others, ventured out from their homes on Saturday afternoon with the intention to cut trees for fencing a goat’s kraal. Tragically, their innocent excursion turned fatal when one of the boys, Ayollo Lokutai, discovered an abandoned bomb. Unaware of the danger it posed, Ayollo began to play with the explosive device while his companions, including Lokoel Komol, were engaged in cutting trees nearby.
The bomb detonated unexpectedly, resulting in the instant death of Ayollo Lokutai and Lokoel Komol. Meanwhile, Meri Lomonyang, aged 9, and Meri Lokiditoi sustained minor injuries from the blast.
Meri Jino, the LC5 Chairperson of Kaabong District, expressed shock and dismay at the tragic turn of events. He disclosed that security forces were promptly alerted, and a team of police detectives swiftly responded to the scene to commence investigations and manage the aftermath of the explosion.
“The bodies of the deceased have been transported to Kaabong Hospital for postmortem examinations, while the injured are receiving medical treatment,” stated Meri Jino.
Jino underscored the likelihood of increased incidents involving explosive devices in the region due to ongoing security operations against cattle rustlers. He urged the local community to exercise vigilance and refrain from handling metallic objects suspected to be explosives.
“People must remain vigilant and report any suspicious findings to the authorities,” emphasized Jino, highlighting the importance of community cooperation in preventing further tragedies of this nature.
The devastating incident serves as a somber reminder of the inherent dangers posed by unexploded ordnance in conflict-affected regions and underscores the urgent need for heightened awareness and proactive measures to safeguard innocent lives.