More than 600 internally displaced persons (IDPs) arrived in Wau from Khartoum State in a convoy of 13 buses and six trucks on 23 March, after facing gunmen and losing two buses along the way.

The IDPs, who were received at Lokokol police station by Wau County Commissioner LT. Col Anthony Charles Ngbrinde, said men had attacked them as they crossed through the north-south border area.

"We were attacked on the way by ... gunmen, who fired at our buses, while locals threw stones at us ... thankfully, no one was seriously injured," said Rita Lazarus, adding that the government should provide a security escort for the next load of IDPs.

Bus driver Abdulazzin Ibrahim said a man sitting in a tree had fired at one of his tires and ordered him to stop, and that another bus had been looted. "In the next bus after me, my colleague was stopped and looted of over a million (Sudanese) pounds."

IDPs also noted that two of the original 15 buses they were travelling in had broken down and that passengers were forced to squeeze into the remaining vehicles.

Lt. Col. Anthony called on the Government of National Unity to investigate insecurity along IDP routes, especially in the border area, and ensure safe movement. He questioned why gunmen would be attacking or stopping people en route, calling agents behind the attacks enemies of peace.

The 600 IDPs were part of a considerably larger group who had registered in Khartoum for the return home. "The total number of IDPs who registered in Khartoum was 3,746, but later some decided to remain behind and … the number came down to 600," said IDP head Mathew Ahamed