Police authorities have taken into custody a 25-year-old man identified as Albano on suspicion of murdering a pastor in the capital of Eastern Equatoria State, Torit.
The victim, Pastor Peter Lokai of the African Inland Church, was fatally shot in his residence in the Ilangi residential area of Torit town in 2021 during a period of leadership contestation within the church.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, Major General Ali Abdalatif, Police inspector at Torit Central Prison, provided insight into the ongoing investigation, stating, “A person by the name Albano, aged 25 years old, was brought into police custody in connection with the murder of a pastor. He has been charged under Article 206 of the Criminal Code. The suspect was at large following the murder of the pastor. After his arrest, the suspect will be brought to court and a judge will decide. Investigations are ongoing. If the suspect admits to committing the murder, a judge will decide on a sentence.”
Zachariah Eriga, former Bishop of the African Inland Church in Eastern Equatoria State, appealed to the government for a thorough investigation to identify all those involved in the murder. He stressed the need for clarity regarding the motive and those behind the plot.
“We want him to tell exactly whether he was hired, who sent him there and why. He has to tell us how many people were involved in plotting the murder. We are waiting to know this man because people are talking of unknown gunmen, unknown gunmen. If indeed he is involved, then we have to hear from him, as he has spoiled our names,” Eriga said.
Emmanuela Natyam Lolimo, a Civil Society activist associated with the Christian Community Organization (CCO) in Eastern Equatoria State, emphasized the importance of a fair and thorough legal process.
“Like now they have the suspect, if they have the evidence that this is the real person who killed the pastor, then they have the right to ask the suspect if they are many involved in what happened to the pastor. At least they have to take their time and do more investigation in this murder case because sometimes one person cannot just start and do something like this. So maybe there are more persons who are involved in this murder and also ask the suspect what happened,” she said.