Wau state governor Elias Waya says 13 people have been killed over the last two weeks amid a rise in crime due to deteriorating living conditions and the presence of armed pastoralists from other states.
He said the people killed include an old man who was found dead south of Busari area in Wau county.
Waya said they have tracked groups of gangs among the organized forces who are residing in some hotels, from where they carry their attacks.
He also blamed the increasing crime on armed pastoralists from Warrap and Lakes states.
Separately, the governor refused to withdraw an SPLA force in some villages around Busari area, despite accusations that they are involved in rape, murder, and burning of homes.
The chairman of the SPLM party in Wau has called for the withdrawal of SPLA force Busari, but Waya has insisted on their presence until after the implementation of the peace agreement.
Waya said the alleged crimes in Busari were not committed by orders from above but were individual behaviors.