The Western Equatoria State government has confirmed the arrest of several teenagers in Yambio for allegedly looting and setting fire to civilian homes.
The announcement was made by Acting Governor Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa who stated that security forces have launched an operation to apprehend those responsible for the crimes.
“There are criminals in Yambio who are causing problems by burning people’s houses, mostly at midnight. The good news is that we have started arresting them. This week alone, we have taken four suspects into custody for investigation,” he said. “Some of them are young children, and if they are being used by others, we will investigate further to understand the motive. Rest assured, all those responsible will be brought to justice.”
Badagbu added: “I encourage every village and residential area to engage actively in community policing. This will provide early warnings and assist the police in identifying and apprehending criminals before they cause further harm.”
The acting governor stressed that security is the foundation of lasting peace and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting all citizens. He identified the most affected by insecurity as Tambura, Nagero, Ketiba, Mundri East, Minga, Rakampa, and Lakamadi among others.
The Western Equatoria State government has pledged to strengthen and restructure the security forces to ensure better civilian protection and ensure the enforcement of the rule of law.
Meanwhile, Yambio Town Municipality Mayor John Singira called on the government to take decisive action to safeguard civilians and their properties from further destruction.
“All South Sudanese in Yambio, regardless of their political affiliation, should live in harmony. Political parties, including SPLM, SPLM-IO, SSOA, and OPP, have the right to operate freely in Western Equatoria,” he stated.
Mayor Singira assured the public that the state government is committed to maintaining an open and democratic political space where all parties can participate without fear or intimidation.
Paul Luk Lostico, a resident of Yambio’s Zambago suburb whose house was burned down last week, told Radio Tamazuj that he was surrounded by six armed individuals in uniform who ordered him to sit down at gunpoint when he returned home at 7 p.m.
The attackers took his belongings, including four phones, a school bag, and a laptop. They also broke into his shop at home, looted his property, and then set his house on fire, destroying everything.
“My hand and leg were cut with a panga. I have reported the case to the investigative department in Masia, as well as with the police, National Security, and the legal department in Yambio County,” he said. “We keep hearing President Salva Kiir said he will not take this country back to war. As the Chairperson of the NPP in Western Equatoria State, we are preparing for the 2026 elections under the vision of a new voice and a new vision.”
“This (arson) is happening every day and my documents from baby class to university were burned and I could not recover anything,” Luk concluded.