By Kei Emmanuel Duku and Philip Buda Ladu
Despite a generally calm security situation across the Country during the Christmas period, a series of violent incidents, including stabbings, shootings, and suicide were reported by Police.
According to a report by South Sudan National Police Service, a total of seven people lost their lives between December 24th and 25th, 2024, most of the cases in Juba.
On Christmas Eve, three people lost their lives. A 21-year-old male was fatally stabbed with a knife in the Referendum Residential Area. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
Police reported that a case had been opened at the Western Police Division in Munuki, and the suspect had been arrested and detained while the investigation was ongoing.
On the same day, a 36-year-old Ugandan national was found dead at 8:00 PM at her workplace in the Nyakuron Residential Area.
Police stated that the body has been transported to the mortuary for a post-mortem examination, and a case has been opened at the Mauna Police Division to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
Police further revealed that on December 24th, 2024, at 9:00 PM, a dispute arose between three youths in the Mangateen Residential Area, resulting in injuries to a 15-year-old boy and a 35-year-old adult.
The suspect was subsequently arrested and detained at Munuki Police Station in the Western Division.
On Christmas Day, one male inmate was discovered dead at 6:00 AM while in prison. The body has been transported to the military mortuary for a medical examination to determine the cause of death, according to police reports.
Meanwhile, a male private soldier from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces Division 7 committed suicide on Wednesday by hanging himself in Gumbo Shirkat.
According to the report, when the crime was reported, the police forensic department retrieved the body from the crime scene and transported it to the Juba Funeral Home.
An investigation into the exact cause of death is ongoing at the Gumbo Shirkat Police Station in the Eastern Division.
Furthermore, on Christmas Day, police registered another fatal stabbing incident in Nyakuron Residential Area at 4:00 PM, where an 18-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries at the hospital while receiving treatment.
The report acknowledged that a case has been opened at the Mauna Police Division, and the accused suspect has been arrested pending further investigation.
On Thursday night at around 1:00 AM, security personnel fatally shot a 20-year-old male who was reportedly chasing gang members locally known as “Niggas.”
The police report did not specify the location of the incident or whether any arrests have been made. However, the report stated that a case had been opened at the Mauna Police Division.
Other crime reports from across the states indicate that on Christmas Day, armed men shot dead a 27-year-old man in Ihemehejek in Eastern Equatoria State at around 4:00 PM.
The suspects remain at large, but police and Monyomiji are pursuing them by following their footprints.
Meanwhile, during the 48-hour Christmas period, police reported a total of 47 minor traffic accidents without fatalities.
The report did not specify whether these 48 cases were solely registered within the capital city of Juba or across the entire country.
Colonel John Kassara Koang, spokesperson for the South Sudan National Police Service, empathizes with the families of those who lost their dear loved ones.
“On behalf of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and on my own behalf, I would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved families” he consoled.
Koang further offered prayers for the “eternal peace of the departed souls.”