At least 3 suspects have been arrested for exchanging fire with SSPDF Soldiers at the Nadapal Border in Kapoeta East County, Eastern Equatoria State.
According to Kapoeta East County Commissioner, Abdalla Angelo Lokeno, the three suspects are currently in Police custody awaiting trial.
Commissioner Lokeno told Radio Tamazuj Monday that over the weekend one person was killed by a suspected Turkana youth and this angered Toposa. The Toposa youth went to Turkana for revenge and on their return met SSPDF soldiers and exchanged fire leaving one soldier injured.
“A Turkana youth came and shot and killed a Toposa. The Toposa youth also went to that side of Mohila of Turkana for revenge. When they were returning, they met with soldiers, and because they did not who each other, they clashed. These soldiers were looking for one of their colleagues who got while collecting firewood,” he said. “The soldiers clashed with the civilians who were returning from Turkana. Both sides thought the other was Turkana and one soldier was injured.”
“Three suspects have been arrested and are currently in police custody and we are investigating them,” the commissioner added.
For his part, Peter Lokeng Lotone, the Eastern Equatoria State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies, said they were not informed of any clashes along the Nadapal border
“We have not heard of any clashes involving soldiers along the border and this is because the commissioner did communicate it to us,” he said. “If he was to communicate, we would have known it.”
Meanwhile, Amal Jane Ochieng, a women’s activist, urged the government to investigate the incident.
“If the suspects were arrested, it is good. What is the root cause? Even those boys who are detained should be given a chance to explain themselves,” she said. “Let us all be accountable for whatever we do.”