The South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) has tightened security across the country as the festive season nears according to the force’s spokesperson, Gen. Daniel Justin.
He told Radio Tamazuj Tuesday that the security forces are on heightened alert because criminality tends to surge as the festivities approach.
“This is a big event which happens every year and we ensure heightened security because people are shopping for their families and criminals also want to take advantage of the situation so that they steal from citizens,” Gen. Justin said. “So, as our mandate stipulates we are on standby and all units of the police countrywide will protect and ensure all citizens are safe.”
He added: “We shall also deploy police units to all places of worship to ensure that all prayers are held and end peacefully in the capital city, towns, and across all the states.”
The police mouthpiece said the general security situation in the country was fine and “up to now we have not got reports of armed robberies across most of the country so the general security situation as of now is fine.”
Asked about the safety of highways for people who want to travel to their villages for the Christmas festivities, Gen. Justin said, “Yes, It is known that we have forces along the roads connecting the states and towns and they are on standby because criminals also target travelers on the highways. So, all our roads are secure, like the Juba-Nimule road, Juba-Terekeka-Rumbek up to Wau, Juba-Bor, Juba till Yambio, Juba-Kajo-Keji and others. We have forces on all these roads to protect travelers.”
On whether the police have been paid, he said although the country is going through tough economic times, the government gave the police money to implement their work and operations during the festive season.
Asked about security personnel robbing and harassing citizens, Gen. Justin said the people should report them and those found culpable will be arrested and charged in the police’s disciplinary courts.
“When we deploy forces, we brief them on what they are going to do. Also, all citizens who are robbed and or harassed have to report because all the forces have units which are headed by a commander,” Gen. Justin said. “So, the citizens should report any wrongdoing by our forces. Also at times a soldier might be drunk and cause chaos, these ones will immediately be arrested and charged in our police disciplinary courts. So all forces have to be careful and obey the law and police rules.”
He added: “There are also security personnel who get excited and discharge their weapons during the festive season, these ones we will arrest. Firing weapons scares the public so it is not allowed.”
Gen. Justin warned motorists who celebrate by driving or riding recklessly and advised them to be cautious and drive safely for the safety of other road users.
“We also advise the public to embrace and practice the Covid-19 preventive measure,” Gen. Justin said.