An SPLA-IO spokesperson has said four of their officers and three SPLM-IO members who were detained on Wednesday last week by SSPDF in Unity State’s Rubkona County were released on Sunday.
SPLA-IO Sector Two Spokesperson Major Kerbino Yai Pazale confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that the seven SPLM/A-IO members were arrested on the orders of the commander of the SSPDF’s 4th Infantry Division in Unity State, Gen. Mathew Puljang, without a clear reason.
“The seven were in custody in the SSPDF barracks, but they were released without charges and conditions by Gen. Puljang,” he said. “They were released yesterday (Sunday), have now come to the SPLA-IO base, and they are now with us at Tong Contentment Area.”
“Among the released officers, the one with the highest rank is a major, and the rest have lower ranks, and they were not tortured while in detention,” Maj. Yai added.
He said such arrests of SPLA-IO soldiers and SPLM-IO members often occur in different areas of Unity State, but that it was the first time it happened in Rubkona County.
Meanwhile, Unity State Information Minister Engineer Gatwech Bipal said he was aware of the release of only two SPLA-IO officers who were arrested by SSPDF last week.
“I am aware of the release of two SPLA-IO officers who were detained due to a misunderstanding between SPLA-IO and SSPDF, but it was addressed by the leadership of the state,” he stated. “The two SPLA-IO officers were released after spending three days in detention. They have been released peacefully by the administration of SSPDF, and Unity State is very peaceful, like before.”
“My message to the youth of Unity State who are always creating false news on social media is that it is better to give the public the right information instead of giving false information to our people in South Sudan,” Minister Bipal cautioned.