Security forces in Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile State, launched a house-to-house search for illegal weapons Tuesday morning, with military and police units taking part in the operation.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Mayen Akon, the state’s police commissioner, told Radio Tamazuj that the campaign aims to confiscate unauthorized firearms held by civilians.
“We want to know who has a gun and who does not. This is a security measure to maintain stability during this tense period,” he said.
He emphasized that only those with legal authorization may possess firearms. “If we find that you obtained a firearm legally, that is a different matter. But civilians cannot own guns without following proper procedures,” Mayen said.
The operation is expected to conclude Tuesday evening but may extend into Wednesday if necessary, he added.
When asked about the timing, Mayen said the move follows recent government efforts to restore order after recapturing Ulang and Nasir counties from the White Army militia.
“We will record the owner’s name, weapon type, serial number and affiliated unit for any seized firearms,” he said. “If the weapon was obtained lawfully, it will be returned.”
Mayen warned that illegal weapons in homes pose a significant security threat. He did not disclose how many firearms had been seized so far, saying a full inventory would be released after the operation.
The police commissioner acknowledged the broader challenge of unregulated community-held weapons, stating that the government is working to tighten control.
Residents React
One resident, who gave only his first name, Jenga, praised the operation as a step toward stability.
“Having weapons in homes is a major risk to public safety,” he said. “We urge the government to continue improving security and ensure uniformed forces are properly identified to reassure citizens.”
Another resident, Rebecca Augustino, welcomed the disarmament effort, citing recent tensions in Malakal.
“My house was searched professionally—the officers were respectful and polite,” she said. “They asked us to be present during the search, and we cooperated fully for the sake of peace.”