By James innocent
The father of a senior civil society activist in Greater Yei is recovering after being seriously injured in a late-night attack at his home, in an incident that has heightened concerns over rising gang-related violence in Yei River County.
Justo Ludanga Yoasa, a clinical officer and church leader, was attacked on the night of February 17 at his residence in Yei. According to his son, Justoson Victor Yuwasa, a well-known activist in the region, five unidentified men allegedly entered the family home before confronting his father inside his room.
Victor said his father had earlier spent the evening with family members outside their house, a common cultural practice in the area where families gather to talk and pray before retiring for the night. He later went inside to sleep after returning from attending to a patient.
“Five men were already inside his room,” Victor said in a public statement. “One was armed with a gun, and the others carried tools clearly intended to harm him.” During the struggle that followed, the attackers allegedly attempted to cut his neck but missed, instead inflicting a deep wound to his chin. He is currently receiving medical treatment.
The attackers remain unidentified, and the motive is still unclear. Two electronic devices were reportedly recovered near the scene, though authorities have not yet released an official statement on the matter.
The assault comes amid growing reports of gang-related violence in Yei. Residents say that two days prior to the incident, armed youth groups attacked two other individuals in the Jigomoni area during nighttime hours, spreading fear among communities. Local leaders and residents have increasingly linked the rise in such incidents to youth delinquency and lack of parental supervision, particularly among minors.
Earlier this year, Yei River County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme warned residents about the growing number of unsupervised youths involved in criminal activities and urged parents to take greater responsibility for their children. Community members, however, say the problem persists and appears to be escalating.
Justo Ludanga Yoasa is widely known in Yei for his dual role as a health worker and church servant. He volunteers as a clinical officer at Yei Civil Hospital and has previously worked with humanitarian organizations including Action Africa Help (AAH), ACROSS, and GOAL International. He also received professional training at Maridi National Health Training Institute under Amref Health Africa
In addition to his medical service, he is described by congregants as an active prayer leader at ECS & S Mission Church and a frequent preacher at churches, funerals, and on local radio programs.
In his statement, Victor condemned the attack and called on the Crime Investigation Department to conduct a thorough inquiry. He urged authorities to strengthen security measures to protect residents and their property, while also appealing to the community to remain vigilant and united.
Security officials in Yei have yet to issue a detailed public update on the investigation.
The incident underscores broader security challenges facing Yei River County, where economic hardship, youth unemployment, and weak law enforcement capacity have been cited by analysts as contributing factors to rising petty crime and organized gang activity.
For many residents, the attack on a respected health worker has deepened anxiety about safety after dark and renewed calls for stronger collaboration between authorities and the community to curb violence before it worsens.