In just a space of 24 hours, another national security officer was shot and killed by a colleague during his late brother’s funeral in the Eastern Equatoria State capital, Torit on Friday night.
On Thursday night, unknown gunmen trailed, shot, and killed national security officer, 2nd Lt. Peter Odee Solomon, in Torit town. The deceased’s brother, Martin Oturo Solomon, who also served at the National Security Service and doubled as a music star popularly known as Mr. Rich traveled to Torit with colleagues and relatives for the funeral of his brother on Friday morning.
Major Justine Kleopus Takuru, the Eastern Equatoria police spokesperson earlier today told Radio Tamazuj, “On Friday during the funeral of our colleague 2nd Lt Peter Odee Solomon, another incident happened at around 10 pm. People were still at the funeral and burial was not done yet. During the funeral, some fears made the forces of national security tighten the security and continuously patrol the area.”
Kleopus said that the deceased’s brother, Martin Oturo Solomon aged 35 years, was with his national security colleagues scheduling protection guard duty at the funeral place when he was shot and killed.
“When it was Oturo's turn to go and substitute one of his colleagues standing guard outside the fence, the colleague who he was going to replace suddenly shot him in the chest, killing him instantly,” according to Major Kleopus. “Another national security officer disarmed that shooter and asked him why he shot the deceased and the latter said it was an accident and that he did not intend it.”
The two brothers were buried in the same grave on Saturday morning and authorities are investigating the national security officer who killed Martin Oturo Solomon during his late brother’s wake.
“The suspect is now in custody at the national security offices and under investigation since Friday night. He is also a national security officer and will be brought to the police because a case of murder was opened. Investigations will continue until it reaches the court,” the police officer assured.
Charles Okullu, the executive director for Peace link foundation (PLF) and also the chairperson for the civil society network in Eastern Equatoria State expressed frustration over the alarming insecurity in the state capital.
“Eastern Equatoria, in particular Torit, is bleeding. Nobody is happy about it, civil society is not happy about it and anybody working for peace is not happy about this incident,” Okullu said. “It has happened at a time of peace when everybody is yearning for durable peace in Torit, Eastern Equatoria state, and South Sudan. What has happened is painful to everyone especially to our loved ones who have just lost lives in a cold blood.”