Highway robbers on Tuesday Killed a National Security Service officer identified as Sebit Ohiri in the Tutumore area of Torit County in Eastern Equatoria State.
The deceased was killed on the spot when security personnel rushed to apprehend armed men who were stopping, beating, and robbing travelers of their valuables and motorcycles along the Torit-Magwi road. One of the robbers is said to have been injured in a fire exchange with security personnel.
Torit Municipal Council Mayor Mustafa Albino Zacharia told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday that the stolen motorcycles were recovered but that no arrests have been made.
“On Tuesday evening there was a problem along the Torit-Magwi road and motorbikes of travelers were looted. The police and national security went to the crime scene and found the criminals on a tree,” he said. “One of the criminals shot a national security officer called Sebit through the neck and he died on the spot. The security personnel exchanged fire with the criminals and one of the thugs was injured. The criminals fled but the police are investigating the matter.”
Meanwhile, Colonel Mathew Ochan Jacob, the Eastern Equatoria State police spokesperson, confirmed the incident but says there is confusion regarding investigations into the matter
“The truth is that the issue is confusing us,” he said without elaborating, adding. “When people are under investigation, then at least you will get details but we have still not gotten any details. There is confusion in the case.”
A civil society activist in Eastern Equatoria State, Oryem Emmanuel, urged the state government to check banditry by holding perpetrators accountable and appealed for the speedy graduation and deployment of unified forces in crime hot spots.
Relatedly in Torit, an SSPDF soldier shot himself dead in the main barracks on Tuesday.
Jacob Atari Albanom, the commissioner of Torit County, said cases of soldiers committing suicide are on the rise in Torit.
“A soldier shot himself and it is so unfortunate that the soldiers are now committing suicide out of frustration. I do not know what the reason why the soldier killed himself,” he said. “The gun is not supposed to be used for killing yourself, these guns were given to them to protect the integrity of South Sudan. If there is any problem, let a soldier go to the authorities and explain his problems so that they can see how to help.”