Authorities in Eastern Equatoria State have arrested 13 police officers who were on duty during last week’s jailbreak from Torit prison.
On Sunday night, 19 people broke out of the Torit jail. The escapees were suspected of taking part in the December massacre of 24 people including women and children between Idali and Torit. The suspects were from Loronyo community.
Six other massacre suspects, including a sultan, did not leave Torit prison during the escape.
Torit County Commissioner Jerman Charles Ojok confirmed the arrests of the police who were guarding the jail on Sunday. He said the arrested officers were from a mix of groups including Loronyo.
“On Sunday night, these people broke windows, doors, and cut the wiring fence and disappeared from prison,” Ojok told Radio Tamazuj. “We don’t know until now who helped them to get the wire cutter to break the fence.”
The commissioner said no other inmates escaped as the massacre suspects were detained in separate quarters from other prisoners.
Ojok condemned the jailbreak and warned people not to interfere with the course of justice. He urged the Loronyo community to assist the security forces, hinting that local authorities had knowledge of where the suspects came from.
Related:
Massacre suspects escape from Torit jail (14 Jan.)
Displaced return to Loronyo in Torit County (9 Jan.)
17 arrested over Torit murders (17 Dec.)
Loronyo residents flee as security investigates E Equatoria killings (14 Dec.)