A state minister has accused Northern Bahr el Ghazal Police Commissioner Major General Akot Deng Akot of exercising police powers illegally for political purposes, after allegedly revealing his own intentions to become governor in the state.

Beginning in the night on Tuesday, Akot deployed his forces around Aweil, set up roadblocks and allegedly ordered the arrest at least nine officials and chiefs. Those targeted include perceived supporters of Caretaker Governor Kuel Aguer, who has departed the state after SPLM state chairman General Paul Malong decided to strip him of his party membership.

High tensions were diffused yesterday and roadblocks were taken down following the intervention of the SPLA Division 3, according to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Akol Diing.

"Police harassment and the blocking of all roads leading to town was the making of two people: General Akot Deng Akot, the commissioner of police, and his CID-in-charge Phil Madut. These two guys made what you have seen this morning, and it was not the making of any resolution from the Council of Ministers," said the cabinet minister, an appointee of Kuel Aguer.

"What they were doing, nobody was aware about it, the government of the state is not aware about it, but they blocked all the corridors that are leading to the town. We apologize, we are very sorry to all the citizens of Aweil as a government," he said.

Akol appreciated the commander of Division 3 Major General Deng Wol whom he said arrived in the town to tell the police commissioner to stand down his forces, which brought the situation in Aweil back to normal.

The minister warned that General Akot may be brought to trial for police harassment and illegal arrests: "The action that was taken by the commissioner of police is his own and he will be held accountable and he should actually be brought to book for what he has done."

Likewise, member of parliament Deng Nguach who is also supporter of the governor said that General Akot is longing to come to power as governor. He stressed that violence is not the right way to come to power and he urged all citizens of the state to remain calm.

Deng also said that the nine arrested officials and chiefs will be released soon.

Those reportedly arrested include: Chan Mawein Jonkoor, Tong Akol Ngeny, Akot Mawein Akot, Abaker Talatin Dechak, Garang Agany, Deng Diing Tong, Kuach Mou Kuach, Deng Gum Akoon and Arkangelo Aru Maduok.

Last week it was reported that General Akot had been ordered by police headquarters in Juba to leave the state for a new assignment in Bor, but apparently he is still in Aweil.