Over 10 suspected armed robbers arrested in Kapoeta
The security forces in Eastern Equatoria State have apprehended 13 suspected armed robbers in Lopet and Jie areas, the office of the governor has confirmed.
In a statement issued by the state government, the Police Commissioner in Kapoeta, Maj. Gen. Adil Juma, said the youth of Chumameri village had been involved in road ambushes and looting of traders, NGOs, and UN vehicles that travelled to Boma via Lopet Boma, Jie Payam, in Kapoeta East County.
He added that the suspected criminals will be arraigned after further investigation into the crimes they have allegedly committed.
Major Gen. Adil promised to crack down on criminals to curb road ambushes and looting.
“We want free movement of people and goods on all the roads in Eastern Equatoria State. We are building peace and nobody will be allowed to destabilise the progress that has been achieved in this great state, “Adil emphasised.
The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore, warned the youth against crime, adding that his administration would clean up the state for peace and stability.
Previous arrests
Last week, the police arrested 10 youth who were accused of robbing people along the highway in Kapoeta South County, Eastern Equatoria State.
The young men were accused of looting property along the Torit-Narus Highway. Cell phones, laptops, luggage, and firearms were seized by security forces.
This was after complaints from citizens about the robbery, looting, and killing along the road at Camp-15 and along Narus road.
The Press Secretary in the office of the Governor, Aliandro Lotok, said some of the suspects were released after being proven innocent by the investigation.
“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,” Lotok stated.
“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.”
The press secretary said that some of the NGOs in the Kapoeta Municipal Council were forced to restrict their activities, which affected the 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.
