By Philip Buda Ladu
At least seven (7) people have been arrested in Bilingyang Boma, Juba County, Central Equatoria State on suspicion of land-grabbing and forced evictions of locals.
The swift arrests followed reports from area sub-chief to the county authorities who responded quickly to apprehend the suspect terrorizing the Bilinyang neighborhood.
This latest arrest comes against the backdrop of recent violent incidents in Bilinyang Boma, Juba County, where residents, including the local sub-chief, were allegedly forced to leave their homes in Garbur Village.
Suspects were armed with guns, Machete and hoes and they have been linked to a series of crimes, including killings and looting, local authorities said.
The sub-chief of Bilinyang Boma, Andrea Gore Benjamin, who reported the chaos said the suspects arrived in the village early in the morning, threatened residents and claimed ownership of property.
Gore who described the security situation in his area as worrying and challenging however commended the Juba County authorities for rushing to the scene and quell the tension.
“I am happy because when I sent the information the government helped me and I am sure if this is the way we are going to work together with responsible institutions then I don’t think there will problems here in the future” The sub-chief expressed.
He claimed that these (suspects) individuals monitor vacant buildings and intimidate the community in an attempt to forcefully occupy the land.
Police in Juba County have confirmed the arrests, saying investigations are underway.
Acting Police Commissioner, Zakayo Ladu Laku said they are conducting a thorough investigation before presenting the suspects in court to ensure justice is served, the soon.
“When we received the information from the chief we went there. We arrested those suspected criminals and will present them in court very urgent on 13th December” Laku said.
The Commissioner of Juba County, Emmanuel Ezbon Tete, said the area has been plagued by criminal activities in recent past.
“Within a short period, we’ve recorded three deaths, including a national security officer, and three people injured,” Tete said. “The first thing this area witnessed was robberies for motorcycles.”
He noted that the suspects, armed with guns, are believed to be behind these killings and looting incidents in Bilinyang along the Juba-Bor Highway.
Gun, and crude weapons and phones of the arrested suspects.
“Those who killed were using motorcycles and gun, we have all this in our report here, we will go back to the security to investigate this, where those who are killing come from” he emphasized.
The commissioner called for a thorough investigation into the suspects, urging security authorities to track their communications and identify the source of their weapons.