By Hou Akot Hou
Authorities in Northern Bahr El Ghazal state have reported a rise in robbery cases in Aweil Center County and the surrounding areas, including Aweil Town.
An investigator from the police department in Nyalath payam revealed on Wednesday that incidents of break-ins and various types of burglaries have been increasing in the payam.
Kur Mabior stated that the county has been facing a crisis involving the loss of consumer goods such as sorghum and groundnuts.
Groups of criminals are attacking residents at night while they are asleep, stealing their valuables.
Mabior noted that the situation is alarming, with nearly ten households losing food items within just one week due to break-ins or burglaries.
Authorities have been notified daily about these theft-related incidents.
“What is happening is no longer just theft. When they find you awake, they ask why you aren’t asleep. They claim you are the wrong person for being awake and then continue with their actions. This is no longer simply a theft issue; it’s a true break-in or burglary,” Mabior emphasized.
The officer warned that if the situation is not contained, it could become “endemic,” as some individuals may start to believe that resorting to theft is a necessary shortcut to livelihood due to lack of job opportunities.
“The norms are eroding. These are young people engaging in these activities because the conditions are dire. That’s why household members are so proactive in reporting these incidents to us, and we are actively tracking down the perpetrators,” he warned.
The officer added that these misguided behaviors are attributed to economic hardships that many young people cannot manage, leading to criminal acts such as looting and theft.
Authorities are urging the public to report any groups of criminals involved in daily looting as a means of survival, as they have become increasingly reliant on these actions.