South Sudan's National Security Services arrested former Western Equatoria governor Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro Tuesday and have been holding him since, according to a family member.

Bangasi had been at the NSS headquarters in Jebel area for a meeting on Tuesday afternoon, a family member said. As he was leaving after the meeting finished, NSS agents stopped Bangasi's car at the gate and called him back to them, the source said. The agents ordered his driver to leave without him.

The family member said by 9 in the evening NSS agents told them to bring extra clothes and other items to the ex-governor in detention. They said no reason was given for the arrest and they have not heard from Bangasi since.

According to the family member, NSS had summoned Bangasi since Monday to their Jebel headquarters, but he was unable to attend due to lack of fuel. He complied Tuesday after getting fuel.

Bangasi was elected governor of Western Equatoria state but he was removed from office by President Salva Kiir and arrested in August when Riek Machar signed the compromise peace agreement.

Since Bangasi's removal, violence in Western Equatoria has increased between SPLA units in the state and local armed groups, including in Mundri, Maridi, Yambio, Tambura, and Ezo areas.