Authorities in Western Equatoria State’s Ibba County have confirmed that an escaped prisoner was shot dead by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Madebe, causing fear among the local community.
County Commissioner Wilson Tetela said the incident happened on Saturday at 3pm and named the killed fugitive as Anisa. Tetela said Anisa was a criminal who had been transported from Yambio to Maridi but fled to Madebe, where he stayed for two days before security forces attempted to re-arrest him.
“No one else was injured or killed. Only the criminal was shot, taken to the hospital, and died immediately,” Tetela stated.
He reassured the public that Ibba remains safe and urged people to continue with their daily activities.
Ibba County Chief Police Inspector Lt. Zakaria Negid confirmed that Anisa was a well-known criminal involved in shop break-ins and property theft in Yambio.
“I received a report from the CID department confirming Anisa’s death. He was known for breaking into shops and robbing people,” Negid said.
He urged both the government and the community to work together and report criminals to the police.
SSPDF Officer Emmanuel Moses Agbia Kpara, who led the operation, said security forces in Maridi had issued an order to arrest Anisa after his escape.
“Yesterday, Anisa escaped from Maridi with another person. He was arrested again in Ibba but managed to escape once more. I received a report instructing me to find and arrest him. If he resisted or ran, we were ordered to shoot,” Kpara explained.
He advised young people to focus on hard work instead of engaging in crime.
“I urge the youth to avoid criminal activities, stop thinking of going to the bush, and stop harming the community,” he added.
Local Chief Marona Sako said Anisa was widely known in Yambio and across Western Equatoria for crimes such as robbery, beatings, and killings.
“We heard that he was killed based on an SSPDF order,” Sako said.
He confirmed that no civilians were harmed but noted that fear has spread in the community, with many residents sleeping in the bush for safety.
“The community is afraid that Anisa’s group might retaliate. That is why they are hiding in the bush,” he explained.
Sako urged the government and residents to remain calm and avoid getting involved in Anisa’s case.
“We need peace and stability in our community,” he said.