At least two youths identified as Gabriel Omuno and William Ohoru Ongee have been arrested in connection with a recent killing of a man in Haforiere Village in Torit County in Eastern Equatoria State.
Last Wednesday, a fight erupted between prospective in-laws in Haforiere village of Hiyala Payam in Torit County, and in the ensuing melee, Olwaha, 20, was shot dead by his prospective brother-in-law, Omuno after they developed a tiff during a dance.
Galileo Ohide, the paramount chief of Hiyala Payam, told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday the four youths were arrested on Monday but two of them were cleared and released on Tuesday.
“Four people were arrested following that incident in which one man killed his in-law and the other one was helping him. The other two suspects were released,” he said. “The two in custody are the suspect who killed who is called Gabriel Omuno and the other one is called William Ohoru Ongee.”
Meanwhile, Major General John Luny, the Eastern Equatoria State deputy commissioner of police, confirms the arrests and reiterated the government’s commitment to hold perpetrators of violent crimes accountable.
“The case is already in the police station and they are going to be taken to court to face charges,” he said. “There were four suspects in the custody but two were cleared and the remaining two are going to be transferred to remand as soon as the investigations are completed.”
For his part, Oryema Emmanuel, the civil society activist, lauded the government for holding perpetrators accountable and cautioned local communities against revenge killings.
“I think this is what we call a great achievement because if a crime happens, there is a need for investigation instead of people taking the law in their hands,” he said. “I think the peace missions have done a very good job to bring the perpetrators to the police so that a thorough investigation can be carried out and the truth of the matter understood.”
“This is what we had been advocating for that there is no need for revenge when something happens but it is better to pursue the perpetrator and take them to court,” Oryema added.