Kony Abducts 120 In Pader

By Dennis OjweeAT least 120 civilians were abducted by Kony rebels in two separate raids at Lapul sub-county, Aruu county in Pader district, and at Aketket in Lalogi sub-county, Omoro, Gulu district.Residents and local security sources said the abductions took place at night yesterday. Fourth Division sources would neither deny nor confirm the reports. They blamed poor communication.The Division intelligence officer, Capt. Abdul Rugumayo, said communication with Pader was poor. “I can neither confirm nor deny the abduction,” he said.Local sources and travellers from Kitgum said 50 - 70 civilians were abducted from Lapul sub-county. They said about 80 rebels attacked from Koyo-Lologi in Aruu.The sources said the abductees were forced to carry the rebels’ loot. They said some abductees were released, mostly the elderly. The rebels were reportedly commanded by Tabuley. Meanwhile, a resident of Lalogi sub-county said yesterday about 400 rebels split into three groups and raided Aketket from the forest near Opit LC1 Ward at 2:00am till dawn.George Oloya, 27, said the rebels abducted about 50 civilians to carry their loot. He said no one was killed and no houses were burnt in the area.Oloya said the rebels appeared from villages of Omel-Kuru and Loyo-Ajanga, about 10 miles, north-west of Aketket. He said according to some escapees, Joseph Kony is believed to have commanded the group of 400 fighters.Oloya said the civilians alleged that Kony and the group were heading for Kilak county, west of Gulu, where rebel commander Vincent Otti and another group operate.UPDF 4th Division spokesman, Paddy Ankunda, said, “We are still investigating the rebel raid reports and will give a confirmation later.”Kony sneaked into the country from his bases in southern Sudan recently and unleashed terror on the villages.President Museveni has pitched camp in Gulu to oversee the UPDF anti-Kony operations.The President has been meeting commanders and security chiefs to co-ordinate their strategy.Ends