Police in Unity State, in collaboration with community watch groups stationed at the Internally Displaced Persons’ camp (IDP camp) in Bentiu, apprehended 20 individuals suspected of belonging to two local gangs, known as Jamaica and Talent, on Sunday.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, John Malith, spokesperson for the Unity State Police confirmed the arrest of the 20-member gang over the weekend.
“The ‘Jamaica Gang’ and ‘Talent Gang’ had announced their intention to engage in conflict during this Christmas season. Upon receiving this information, we took immediate action,” stated Malith.
“Our goal is to ensure that the residents of Bentiu, the capital of Unity State, can celebrate Christmas peacefully for the second time since 2013,” emphasized Malith.
“After they caused insecurity in the Bentiu IDP camp during the evening hours, we apprehended 20 individuals associated with gang activity. Six members have been released, while the remaining 16 will be held in detention until after the New Year celebrations. Their release is scheduled for the first month of the new year,” revealed Malith.
In December 2013, South Sudan descended into a violent civil war. Hundreds of thousands of civilians fled their villages and sought protection in and around the bases of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan – known as UNMISS. They never went home.
Bentiu, capital of Unity State, is the largest Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp, home to more than100,000 people living in shelters made of elephant grass, corrugated tin sheeting, and plastic tarpaulins.
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