By Alan Clement
Terekeka County Commissioner, Dr. Emmanuel Loku Lodu has ordered a firm crackdown on cattle raiding, authorizing chiefs to inspect cattle camps for stolen livestock to restore security and stability in Dollo Payam.
According to the county’s press unit, the directive followed the commissioner’s visit to cattle camp chiefs in Kuda Boma, where he conducted an on-the-ground assessment of the security situation amid persistent incidents of cattle theft linked to armed youth.
Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Loku expressed concern over the continued insecurity associated with cattle raiding, warning that the practice undermines social cohesion and peace among the Mundari communities.
“The government will not tolerate cattle theft or the harbouring of criminals in cattle camps,” the commissioner’s office quoted him as saying.
“Peace cannot exist where stealing continues. Chiefs must take responsibility to identify thieves and ensure they are brought to book,” he added in a statement.
As part of the new measures, the commissioner mandated cattle camp chiefs to allow inspections in any camp where stolen cattle are suspected to be hidden, marking a significant escalation in enforcement aimed at deterring raiding and facilitating the recovery of lost livestock.
The commissioner further instructed chiefs were further to cooperate fully with local authorities, return recovered cattle to their rightful owners, and maintain peace and order within and between camps.
“Unity among our people is not optional; it is the foundation of security,” the statement added. “Cattle camps must coexist as one community, not as rivals.”
The move echoes similar security interventions undertaken by previous governments in Central Equatoria State.
These include similar measures enforced during the tenure of former Governor Mujung, when authorities authorized cross-camp searches and empowered traditional leaders to play a central role in identifying and isolating cattle raiders.
Under those earlier initiatives, government officials repeatedly emphasized collective accountability among cattle keepers, arguing that unchecked raiding posed a direct threat to civilian safety, inter-communal relations, and local livelihoods.
Local authorities said the renewed directives are intended to reinforce those earlier efforts while adapting them to the current security dynamics in Terekeka County.
Cattle raiding remains one of the most persistent drivers of insecurity in parts of Central Equatoria, often triggering cycles of revenge attacks and displacement. County officials believe stronger coordination between government structures and traditional leadership is essential to breaking the pattern.
The commissioner’s office said follow-up engagements with chiefs and security organs will continue to ensure compliance with the directives and to monitor progress in restoring peace across Dollo Payam.