The family of Thiep Deng Ako, a youth leader in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State’s Aweil East County, has called on local authorities to secure his immediate release from the National Security Service (NSS) facility in the state capital, Aweil.
Thiep was reportedly arrested on Monday, 17 October, in Wanyjok Town along with his colleague, Akok Dut.
The two were reportedly apprehended and taken to Aweil Town after a disagreement with Aweil East County Commissioner Garang Thiang Deng over positions within the Aweil East County Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC).
According to family members, the two youths were dismissed from their roles as RRC enumerators on the commissioner’s order, which led to a heated dispute and their subsequent arrest.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on condition of anonymity on Tuesday, one family member urged the commissioner to unconditionally release the detainees or bring them before a court of law.
“My appeal to the county commissioner and the state government is that youth should not be arrested unreasonably,” the relative said. “These people are breadwinners for their families, and their detention at the National Security facility is harmful to their dependents.”
The family member further argued that the case should be handled through lawful procedures, including police investigation and judicial trial, rather than through arbitrary detention.
When contacted, Aweil East County Director of Information Paul Kuc Akot denied having concrete information about the arrest, saying his office was still verifying the facts.
“I have told you that I don’t have any information about Thiep,” he stated. “The problem between Thiep and the commissioner is not yet clear, but I will inform you once accurate details are available.”
Meanwhile, civil society representatives in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have condemned the detention.
Maria Angelo, Secretary-General of the Northern Bahr el Ghazal Civil Society Organizations Network, criticized the arrest, calling it unlawful, and called for Thiep’s immediate release. She referred to the arrest as a human rights violation, which is against the principles of justice.
“The commissioner can take a peaceful way of dialogue,” she said. “It is illegal to arrest a person using national security forces, and I strongly demand his release.”
Civil society groups have raised concerns over the increasing number of arbitrary arrests targeting young people in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State and have often urged local authorities to uphold the rule of law and respect fundamental freedoms.