At least 25 suspected bandits were on Sunday arrested in Kapoeta South County of Eastern Equatoria State.
Officials said the suspects were currently at the Kapoeta Main prison, awaiting trial as the search for the missing offenders continues.
Last week, Eastern Equatoria State Government formed a joint security force to hunt for suspects harassing, ambushing, killing and looting vehicles along the Kapoeta Torit, Narus and Camp 15 and Ngauro roads.
Kapoeta South County Commissioner Paul Lokale Lomana told Radio Tamazuj that the bandits were arrested for several crimes committed along the roads.
He said the pursuit for the missing suspects was ongoing.
“We are making follow ups on suspects engaging in looting, shooting at vehicles and injuring and killing people along the roads connecting to Kapoeta Town, Torit and Camp 15. We have found out that all the criminals were in a team and those we have arrested are more than 20,” he explained.
The Kapoeta South Inspector of Police, Maj Moses Matthias, confirmed the arrests, saying forces were still on the ground to investigate and arrest the remaining bandits.
“We are investigating and the team is still on ground following the missing criminals,” he said.
The lawmaker representing the South Sudan Opposition Alliance at the Eastern Equatoria State Transitional Assembly, Jeff Longoria, commended the government for the efforts.
He urged the residents to coexist peaceful and refrain from wrongdoings along the roads.
“Those atrocities have been happening; people are robbed of their vehicles from Kapoeta South to Ngauro. If the criminals are arrested, the legal procedures followed and they are found guilty, the law has to take its course,” he stated.