Authorities in Lakes State of South Sudan have apprehended 16 criminals and returned more than 700 stolen cattle to their rightful owners in Lakes since last week. 

The police chief inspector in Alualuak Payam of Yirol West County Michael Mayor Malaak told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that 14 suspected cattle raiders and two suspected killers are being held at the Baburzeet prison.

Mayor said the two, identified as Laat Makoon Kuany and Kot Kau Chiewer, have been arrested over the murder of a soldier identified only as Panchol.

"We have 16 criminals, 14 cattle raiders, and two accused of killing a soldier. All of them are now in custody and investigations into the murder of the soldier is ongoing," he added.

Mayor added that more than 700 cattle raided from Rumbek East and Yirol West counties have been returned to the rightful owners since last month. 

"In Yirol West County, 730 raided cattle have been returned to the rightful owners of Rumbek East County, while 41 raided cattle have been returned to rightful owners of Yirol West County. Even as we speak I have four raided cows in Alualuak Payam headquarters, waiting for their rightful owners," he said.

The police officer further noted that cases of insecurity have declined across the state and he can now freely drive from one county to the next without fear of road ambushes. 

The Payam administrator of Alualuak Daniel Ichok Dhieu confirmed that security forces have been deployed in crime hot spots around Yirol West and Rumbek East counties to maintain security.

“There is no other insecurity people talk about in Lakes state. People are enjoying peace, and freedom of movement. Everyone thinks about his or her farms, and where he likes to graze his cattle," he said.

Ichok attributes the improved security situation to the presence of the new governor Rin Tueny Mabor in the state.

For his part, the state minister of information and communication William Koji Kirjok Kertim said that the general situation in Lakes and bordering states is calm and peaceful.

"Now, the security forces have taken control over those areas which they used for road ambushes, and lootings of properties and other security forces have been deployed at the borders with neighboring states,” he said.