Lorry passengers injured and robbed by gunmen in Central Darfur

Two people were injured in two separate attacks by militiamen on lorries in Central Darfur on Friday. Speaking to Radio Dabanga an eyewitness reported that nine “government-backed militiamen” on two motorcycles and a Land Cruiser mounted with a machine gun opened fire on two lorries on their way from Saraf Omra to Zalingei. Haitham Mohamed Jabrallah and El Tayeb Adam were seriously injured and transferred to the hospital of Zalingei. The assailants robbed the passengers of their money, luggage and their commercial goods, worth an estimated SDG100,000 ($22,450). Another lorry, on the road between Abata and Saraf Omra, on its return from the market of Nagadullo, was also attacked by gunmen. One of the passengers told Radio Dabanga that they recognised the gunmen, who beat and lashed them before stripping them of all their possessions. The passengers did not dare to report the gunmen to the police, fearing for their lives in case of revenge. File photo Related:Militiamen ambush convoy in Kabkabiya, North Darfur (3 November 2013)Gunmen ambush lorry, beat and rob passengers in South Darfur (30 October 2013)Gunmen kill merchant, rob convoy in Darfur (14 October 2013)