SPLA military intelligence have arrested a group of children and youths between the ages of 16 and 20 years on Thursday night in Mundri county of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State claiming that they are a criminal gang.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on the phone, SPLA Deputy Spokesman Santa Domic said the military intelligence have arrested a group of children running criminal activities such as killings and raping in the area.
He added that they were arrested in Lokilili near Mundri County, saying that they were divided into two groups one called themselves al-Dam al-Har (“Hot Blood”) and the other “Jova”, mostly between the ages of 16 and 20 including a girl under the age of 18 whom they accused of serving as a recruiter for the group.
The SPLA official claimed the children were armed and had tried to run away when they were pursued but that the military managed to capture 17 members.
“These children have well known and respected families and their relatives are the ones who informed the army about their activities. The army will hand them to the police,” said Domic.