The Government of Lakes State on Wednesday announced the commencement of a general disarmament exercise and crackdown on banned alcohol across the state.
While making the announcement in Rumbek, Acting Information Minister William Koji Kerjok said civilians in towns and along highways will be disarmed.
“The disarmament operation is going on, and we cannot determine the number of firearms collected in Wulu, Cueibet, Rumbek East, and the ones yet to be collected. They will not release the data of collected firearms as of now,” he said. “They will search for and destroy alcohol. Those who insist on distilling alcohol and those who continue causing insecurity in Lakes State will be taken to court; some were already taken to court and will be fined for insisting on drinking alcohol.”
Minister Koji said distilling and consuming alcohol is illegal in the state and that firearms are not allowed in town.
“The issue of firearms in town is not allowed, and it is a red line,” he said. “We know our young people across the country have firearms in their hands, but they are supposed to use them somewhere and not bring them near people. Those with guns will be arrested.”
Meanwhile, Daniel Laat, a civil society activist in Lakes State, lauded the state government’s latest move to disarm civilians and crack down on illicit alcohol.
“Looking at the current disarmament exercise in Rumbek Town, as civil society, we welcome it because there has been fear in the town because arms are being brought into town by cattle camp youths,” he explained. “They come with arms, and when they find out there is somebody, they can carry out a revenge killing; they can easily have access to those firearms.”
“The security forces need to do a proper search because at times when they find alcohol, they forget about searching for illegal guns,” Laat added.