The local authorities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State’s Aweil East County have confirmed the arrest of five men accused of destroying culverts to extort money from travelers and motorists amidst heavy flooding in the Halbul area between Aweil Town and Akuem along the way to Wanyjok Town.
According to the authorities, the destruction of the culverts affected transportation along the key route, making it difficult for people to move freely in the flood-hit county and other border markets such as Warawar, Majok Yinh Thiou, and other regions in neighboring Aweil North County.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, Aweil East County Commissioner Diing Aher Ngong confirmed that the five were apprehended on Friday last week.
“The accused were not released because the investigations are not yet completed, but they will be freed after we make sure that they will not repeat such harmful activities,” said Aher. “They dismantled culverts to hamper the movement of people, especially sick people who were supposed to be transferred to Aweil town are now stranded in Aweil East County due to the roadblock.”
A recent meeting between the commissioner and the public prosecutor discussed the way forward and recommended jail terms if the same group repeats the act of vandalism on a public road.
Meanwhile, an affected traveler, Christopher Anei, confirmed that movement along the road between Aweil Town and Aweil East was disrupted in Halbul and Akuem.
“The road has been disconnected by floods in Halbul and Akuem areas and if you want to cross the floodwaters, you may need someone’s help so that you may drown,” he said. “There are a lot of streams connected with the floods and if you do not move carefully, you will fall in the water.”
On his part, Peter Diing Ngong, the Executive Director of Wider Aid & Development Agency (WADA), called for severe fines against the suspects before they are released.
“This incident must be investigated and the accused must be slapped with severe fines because they are the cause behind the roadblock and they do not want people to access Aweil East County and Aweil Town and vice versa,” Diing stated.