Christmas, New Year celebrations generally peaceful– Police

South Sudan National Police Service Spokesperson Maj. Gen Daniel Justin in his office, 15 December 2022. [File photo: Radio Tamazuj]

The South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) announced on Tuesday that the Christmas and New Year festivities were marked by tranquility, thanks to the successful house-to-house search (disarmament) and crackdown on notorious gang groups.

The South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) announced on Tuesday that the Christmas and New Year festivities were marked by tranquility, thanks to the successful house-to-house search (disarmament) and crackdown on notorious gang groups

In an interview with Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Daniel Justin, spokesperson for South Sudan police, highlighted the positive outcomes of the disarmament efforts in Juba. He reported that over 1,700 guns were successfully collected from unauthorized individuals.

Justin emphasized that the joint operation, comprising the disarmament initiative and crackdown on gang activities, will persist with security patrols across Juba city even beyond the New Year festivities.

He stated, “This year has been favourable because we conducted operations prior to the celebrations. These operations targeted the Niggas and Toronto boys, along with the disarmament effort.”

The spokesperson further assured the public that the security measures would continue to be enforced to maintain peace and order in the region.

He mentioned that even before the operations, there were awareness campaigns on radio stations, urging citizens to collaborate with the ground forces. “We’ve been broadcasting advisories on the radio, instructing people on what to do. We emphasized the importance of being cautious in the market and encouraged reporting any incidents to the nearby police using our emergency hotline, which has proven effective—dialling 112,” he said.

According to the police spokesperson, Minister of Interior Angelina Teny, her deputy David Marial Gumke, and Atem Marol Biar, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), conducted a city tour on New Year’s Eve. Their purpose was to engage with security commanders, discussing proper conduct and ensuring the effectiveness of the deployed security forces in and around the city.

Regarding New Year’s celebrations, he revealed that the security situation remained peaceful due to the cooperation between the public and the joint security forces. The only exceptions were two individuals who lost their lives in fatal road accidents in the Suk Libya suburb of Munuki over the weekend. One person died on the spot, while the other succumbed to injuries after being rushed to Juba Teaching Hospital.

“The security situation was satisfactory during the New Year, as we strive to protect the public. The cooperation between the public and the police, with reports being made to nearby police stations, has contributed to maintaining order,” explained Justin.

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