By Philip Buda Ladu
As the 2024 comes to closure, South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) has announced tight security strategy for New Year, 2025 celebrations.
Key focus is on locations including Juba International Airport, Churches, Public places, major routes and bridges, markets, government institutions, NGOs, and embassies.
According to police spokesperson. Col. John Kassara Koang, the security measures include searches at entrances to celebration venues and churches.
Female officers are assigned to conduct search on females, he said.
The police spokesperson emphasised that all searches will be conducted with respect for human dignity and human rights. Adding that Vehicle searches will also be conducted at various checkpoints.
He highlighted the police objectives for the New Year celebration security plan. “To ensure the safety of individuals attending celebrations, protecting lives and property, providing security for churches and gathering places, and preventing theft and vandalism,” he added.
Others include providing a secure environment for shoppers, coordinating with local law enforcement to respond to incidents promptly, implementing measures to protect against cyber threats like phishing scams and providing humanitarian assistance as needed.
The police further issued a warning to club owners against allowing teenagers to host unauthorized discos, parties, or social gatherings on their premises.
“May this year bring new happiness, new goals and new achievements! Happy New Year to you and your family!” concluded Colonel Koang.
Meanwhile, police announced relative calm and stable security prevailed across the country during Christmas period, with some isolated crime incidents and social violence.
Col. Koang, in security brief, underscored that highways and States interconnecting routes remained stable during the holiday.
However, the police spokesperson detailed tragic incidents of deaths and about injuries across the country.
Security Highlights.
In Gogrial West County, a 31-year-old housewife was beaten to death by her husband in a domestic violence incident on December 26. The perpetrator has been apprehended.
Also on Boxing Day, a 20-year-old man was stabbed to death in Wau and a suspect is in custody.
However, in Awiel East County, a 12-year-old girl was reportedly raped by a 38-year-old man on December 26. The suspect has been apprehended, and the victim received medical attention.
On December 27, a 44-year-old Sudanese national was shot and injured by unidentified assailants in Maban County and Investigations are ongoing.
Additionally on the same day in Maban refugee camp, another Sudanese man accidentally shot and injured his wife and he is currently in custody.
Prior to Christmas Eve on December 23, ten South Sudanese deportees from Egypt were received at Juba International Airport. But the police authorities noted that no criminal records were labeled against them as such, they were reunited with their families.