NSS arrest 10 suspected armed robbers in Kapoeta
The national security forces on Tuesday arrested about 10 suspected armed robbers in Kapoeta South County, Eastern Equatoria State.
The suspects were accused of robbing people along the Torit-Kapoeta-Narus highway.
Also, an unconfirmed number of valuables, among them cell phones, laptops, luggage, and firearms, were seized from the suspects by the security forces.
This comes after the authorities received complaints about the increasing cases of highway robbery, looting, and killing in an area called Camp-15 and along Narus Road in Kapoeta East County.
The government said they will continue the crackdown on road criminals to create a conducive environment for travellers along the road.
Addressing the press on Tuesday, the Governor’s Press Secretary, Aliardo Lotok, said some had been released after an investigation because they were not found guilty.
‘‘The ones that are [there] now, 10 of them are now in police custody, and these are the people who will be presented before the court of law to answer for the crimes they have committed,” he said.
“So even a PKM was found, some firearms, and laptops of humanitarian agencies such as Plan International were found with them because they were looted along the highway,” said Lotok.
He said the rampant insecurity in the area has forced some NGOs to restrict their activities within the Kapoeta municipality, a move he said has affected the local population.
“We were told by the NGOs here that they cannot go to those areas now because they have been restricted by the situation to operating only within Kapoeta Municipal Council and you can see how it has affected the people,” Lotok stressed.
“The governor has instructed all the commissioners and the municipal council to ensure that the areas that they serve or operate in are free from crimes,” he added.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to cracking down on criminals terrorising highway travellers and urged citizens to cooperate with security.
Meanwhile, civil society activist Charles Okullu Cyprian, commended the government for their efforts in apprehending the robbers.
He said the suspected armed robbers should be tried in court through the procedures of the law and punished accordingly.
“This is very good. I think the government has done a great job. Sometimes, we as activists, need to come out openly and appreciate them. This one sends a very strong message of trust between the citizen and the government because these gangs have been terrorising people and they have been even robbing NGOs who are essentially providing services to the people, “he said.
“Now that they are arrested, let their arrest be the example to others who are still out there trying to terrorise and rob people, and let the procedure of the law be followed, and they should be punished for what they have done,” added Okullu.
He said that there are still ‘‘bad elements’’ depriving people of free movement along roads and encouraged the government to boost security along the highway.
“When we congratulate the government, it does not mean they should now stop there; they should be on their toes and keep checking. There are very many bad elements that are out there. They should continue working hard to make sure the situation of robberies is put to an end,” the activist said.
