Officials of the Chamber of Commerce in Renk County of Upper Nile state have expressed concern over the increased night robberies and shop burglaries in the main market.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj last week, Mutawakkil Ahmed Al Siddiq, the Secretary-General of the Renk Chamber of Commerce, said the surge in night break-ins into shops in the town is a dangerous development to the merchants. He called for accountability by the security forces or a change in those responsible for providing security in the market.
"It is not possible to break more than eight shops in one month without arresting anyone involved in the act,” Ahmed said.
He said the Chamber of Commerce is about to install security lights in the town's main market.
The director of Police in Renk County, Brigadier General Abdulaziz Deng Ngor, said the police are monitoring the movement of the suspected criminals to apprehend them. He admits that the group of criminals is using modern methods in the night robbery including witchcraft, pointing out that the security services will be tightened in the coming days.
“For us, as police, we have been following the cases and we are following up on the crimes. These crimes are a new form and we are following up the criminals,” Brig. Deng said.
Deng reveals that a plan has been developed with the Immigration Police department to monitor all foreign nationals entering the area and that authorities will deport any foreigner found involved in these crimes.
The police officer called on citizens to report any cases of suspicious foreign elements.
Renk County Commissioner Dok Goth Ngor stressed the importance of security in markets and neighborhoods, pointing out that the security services will not hesitate to arrest criminals and bring them to justice.
He warns citizens, merchants, and any group from accessing the market at night.
Renk’s main market has this month alone witnessed more than eight burglary incidents and the criminals are yet to be arrested.