AKOBO, South Sudan, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Scores of civilians and soldiers were missing this weekend after a raid by rebel gunmen on a village in South Sudan, a government official said.

Kuol Manyang, governor of Jonglei state, told reporters the whereabouts of at least 103 civilians, including many children, and 14 South Sudan troops was unknown in the aftermath of Friday's attack on the remote village of Akobo.

 

"I have just received the news about it now from the commissioner [of Akobo] that hundreds of people are missing and many others were killed by a mixed element of Yau Yau [rebels] and youths from the Murle tribe," Manyang said.

The Sudan Tribune said 14 people were wounded in the raid and a large number of cattle rustled by the attackers.

Manyang said the South Sudan army was in pursuit, but conceded the head start the gunmen had, coupled with the thick brush in the area, made catching up with them a difficult task.