2 police officers arrested for attacking civilians in Unity State

BENTIU, OCTOBER 25, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – Authorities in South Sudan’s Unity State said on Monday that two local police officers have been arrested for allegedly attacking civilians in Mayendit County of the oil-rich state.

Speaking to Sudans Post on Monday, Unity State police spokesman John Malieth said the suspects were apprehended on Saturday after opening fire on civilians at Rubkuai Payam where he said they have records of crimes.

According to Malieth, the two police officers had in 2022 allegedly shot and injured a community elder, killed a 16-year-old teenager in Leer two, and their arrest was ordered after opening fire on civilians over the weekend and that investigations were ongoing.

“The authorities in Mayendit County have taken action against two police men who committed crimes against civilians in Rubkuai Payam,” he stated. “An investigation is underway to shed light on the motive that led the suspects to attack the civilians.”

Malieth said that one of the suspects is a new police recruit and that the shooting took place at a traditional party in Rubkuai and the two were arrested on Saturday. He said that the victim is being treated at a secondary health hospital at Bentiu IDP camp located at Rubkona.

He said that the new recruit is a member of one of Haak Community sub-clans who was in conflict with a rival sub-clan within the community and that local authorities in Mayendit knew about the dispute between the two sub-clans before even recruiting.

“There have been known disputes that have been reported between two youth groups before these two police officers were recruited by the local authorities,” he said. “Once investigations are completed, the suspects will be sent to court within Mayendit County headquarters where official criminal charges will be brought against them by the law.”

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