By James Innocent
Police has registered significant reduction in criminal activities in Yei River County.
Police Inspector for Yei Headquarters, Ali Abdullah Tif, revealed this to the Commissioner, during briefing on the overall security situation in the area.
Inspector Ali attributed the improvement to police diligence in identifying those disrupting peace.
Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme expressed his commitment to enhancing the standards in Yei despite ongoing challenges.
He urged police personnel to work closely with civilians, emphasizing that their role is to maintain law and order rather than foster mistrust.
Emmanuel stressed that police should not be feared by the community and encouraged residents to report issues directly, rather than turning to military operations.
Martin Mawa Joseph, head of Luparate police, praised the Commissioner for his visit.
Having served in Luparate for a year after, he noted that the area has historically been plagued by gangs.
Mawa stated, “Luparate has become a hotspot for criminal activities, but we are working to minimize these offenses.”
He reported that their efforts have transformed Luparate into a more peaceful environment through the imprisonment of several gang members.
However, he also criticized citizens for their impatience when reporting issues, as many believe the police delay their cases.
Mawa pointed out that many civilians in South Sudan often view police as soldiers and fail to respect their authority.
Additionally, he mentioned that he has arrested over ten individuals involved in criminal activities in Luparate.
Paul Meta Samuel, head inspector of police in the TTC area, acknowledged the prevalence of criminal cases but assured that serious incidents, such as rape and murder, are promptly reported to headquarters.
Moses John Sebit from the Nyongwe area confirmed that while there were criminal activities a few months ago, the situation has improved, and residents are now living in peace.
Major Jimmy, head of Yei Central Division, concluded that as long as the police maintain their presence, civilians will feel safe and will not need to resort to military operations for assistance.