By Hou Akot Hou
Authorities in Aweil East County, Northern Bahr El Ghazal State, have detained over 80 young people for questioning. They were found loitering around hotels at night without apparent reason, raising suspicions of criminal activity.
According to police inspector Pinyding Makuach Kuol, the detained group is believed to include members of criminal gangs involved in activities such as prostitution. The suspects comprise both young men and women, some as young as 15 years old.
“Our patrol forces found them occupying hotels and other large open spaces, likely engaged in illicit activities,” Makuach stated.
He added that the police are working to separate the law-abiding individuals from the ‘criminal elements’, with the latter set to be brought before the courts.
Makuach urged the public to come forward and identify any girls they believe may have been detained, as well as justify their presence in the area at night.
Makuach explained that most of these people detained include young girls and boys from neighbouring states like Warrap and Aweil South counties.
He emphasized that such loitering and suspected criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.
This crackdown comes on the heels of a similar police operation last week in Aweil Town, where 31 young people were arrested for engaging in sexual activities in public during the independence anniversary celebrations.
The authorities in Aweil East are taking a firm stance against perceived criminal activity, particularly among the youth population, in an effort to maintain law and order within the county.