There is a saying that “when a toad jumps out of a hole at mid-day, its abode has been invaded”. When weapons meant to safeguard citizens, are turned against them, an evil has invaded the hearts.

On Saturday at Seventh Day roundabout in Juba City, unknown gunmen shot randomly killing one person, wounding two others and a similar incidence recurred at Sherikat suburb.

The suspects in the recent attack were brave enough to rest arrest by shooting at the police. Unfortunately, two bystanders became victims of stray bullets.

Luckily, a suspect apprehended is under investigation. Thanks to the police’s perseverance and selflessly staking their lives to save citizens from rogue individuals.

The Sunday shooting accounts for several other violent occurrences in the country. In another, a police officer in Hai Cinema on Saturday evening, shot and injured five people.

According to South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) Spokesperson, Maj Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the officer had dinner at a restaurant but refused to pay the bill.

In another case, Northern Division Police are probing a case where a security officer refused to pay SSP12,000 beer bill and assaulted a waitress.

Police in Uganda have also linked shooting of a refugee in a camp, to unknown gunmen from South Sudan.

According to the report, the well-armed assailants travelled in a vehicle with South Sudan registration number plates, who possibly sneaked back into the country.

The attack in Uganda followed two cases of recovery of pistols by the Uganda Revenue Authority from a South Sudanese national at Elegu border point.

However, these cases of violence within and outside the country, are but smoke of looming animosity, a cloudy weather calumniating from a piecing economic turmoil.

The government must check the drawing board to ensure effective measures to combat the escalating violence and address it squarely, for lasting tranquility.