Authorities of Bor municipality in Jonglei State have beefed up security to ensure law and order are maintained in the town as Christmas approaches.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj Wednesday, Town Mayor Samuel Ateny Pech said security forces have been deployed. A curfew would be imposed as part of measures to pacify Bor during festivities.
“Some measures have been put in place ahead of Christmas and the new year celebrations because gang groups are terrorizing the residents of Bor town,” Ateny said.
“So, we organize joint operation forces to patrol during the festive season and also, movement of bodabodas, rickshaws, and private vehicles have been banned on Christmas and the new year eves because there will be a big procession here in Bor,” he added.
Mayor Ateny pointed out that they enforced the measures to ensure the safety of Bor residents and called for compliance.
For his part, Major-General Elia Costa Faustino, the Jonglei police commissioner, said a crackdown is ongoing on gangsters and that forces have been deployed in hotspot areas to control crimes.
“As the security organs in the state, we came up with a security plan and arrangements to ensure safety during celebrations. Over the past weeks, we arrested several gang members, and now a crackdown is still ongoing, and our forces are being deployed to churches and other hotspot areas,” he said.
The state police commissioner has called on the residents of Bor to cooperate with them, saying security is a collective responsibility.
One Bor resident, Aluel Kut, said the town is calm.
“Even within the town (Marol Market), there used to be criminals. If you move with a phone, they snatched it from you and beat you up. But now it is okay because Gen. Ajak Ayuen is back as he head of joint operation forces,” she said. “Now, Marol Market is busy. People are busy buying clothes, and ladies are busy plaiting at saloons.”