At least 10 people have been arrested over the alleged killing of Ketire local government administer and the injuring of a National State Security (NSS) officer at Keberek Boma, Torit County in Eastern Equatoria State
Police sources said on Monday that those arrested include a chief.
The police said the violence leading to the death and the injuries arose from a border encroachment dispute and the sharing of revenue from checkpoints.
Keberek Boma is located in Himodonge Payam of Torit County, but the authorities in Ikotos County deployed officers to the area to collect money from a recently established checkpoint without prior arrangement with the local residents.
The arrangement, officials said, led to the clash, that saw a local government officer identified as Masimino Ajayo, 50, shot dead and an National security officer identified as Malish John Tobiolo injured.
Eastern Equatoria State Police Spokesperson Maj Justine Kileopas told Radio Tamazuj the arrested suspects were currently in custody awaiting trial
He said the investigations were ongoing to identify the primary suspects.
Himodonge community Chairperson Juma Joe Adriano confirmed the arrests, and called on government to investigate the matter and hold the perpetrators accountable.
He said the Himodonge people were for peace and would not support any criminal activities in the area.
Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore extended his condolences to the bereaved family in a press statement
He warned the youth against taking the lives of innocent civilians, saying the government would continue to investigate and arrest criminals.
“I want first of all to send my sincere condolences to the family of the local government officer who lost his life on duty. I would like to warn the youth or anybody in Eastern Equatoria who might be thinking of taking anyone’s life to refrain. Some of them have been arrested and we will continue to follow up and arrest all the suspects,” he said.