A group of 16 men and one woman have been arrested as suspects in the case of a businessman who was killed while traveling from Warawar market to Aweil with 1.8 million South Sudanese pounds.

The group are being investigated for allegedly robbing and murdering the businessman who was sent by fellow traders in Warawar market in Aweil East County to the state capital to deposit the huge sum of money in a bank.

There are no banks in Aweil East County.

State authorities about a week ago arrested 17 youths including one woman in connection with the crime. The victim had been missing for several days before his body was discovered in Aweil West.

Approximately 1.6 million SSP have been recovered from the suspects, according to the State Deputy Governor Salva Chol Ayat.

He said the suspects are still being investigated and will be taken to court when the investigations are completed.

File photo: Prisoners in South Sudan's Unity State