By Chol D. Johnson
Authorities in Unity State are investigating a tragic incident in Bentiu town where an 11-year-old boy fatally stabbed his 12-year-old childhood friend during a fight early Friday morning.
Unity State Minister of Information Gatwiech Bipal, speaking to No.1 Citizen Daily English Newspaper by phone, confirmed the killing and said the suspect has been apprehended.
“The boys are teenagers, ages of 11 and 12, who were fighting in which the other was killed by knife,” Bipal said. He added that the boy who committed the crime is currently in police custody.
The minister noted that the cause of the fight remains unclear but may have stemmed from insults or disputes over belongings, common among children. “I did not yet confirm the cause of fighting, maybe fighting over many things,” he explained.
Bipal stressed that parents are cooperating with police investigations and that the situation remains calm.
The incident has raised alarm about juvenile violence in Unity State, where children and adolescents are increasingly caught up in cycles of crime and insecurity.
Reports from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have previously documented cases of minors being drawn into violent confrontations, either as victims or perpetrators, particularly in areas affected by poverty and limited access to education.
Local officials and community leaders have repeatedly warned that unemployment and idleness among youth contribute to rising crime rates.
There is growing concern that without stronger child protection measures, investment in schooling, and youth empowerment programs, incidents like the Bentiu killing will continue to undermine social stability.
Police in Bentiu have launched a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the fight and circumstances surrounding the killing. Authorities say the findings will be made public once investigations are complete.
“The parents are patient and following police investigation,” Bipal said, assuring residents that the matter is being handled according to the law.