The army in Eastern Equatoria State on Thursday afternoon arrested a suspected highway robber for killing one person and injuring two other passengers along the Torit-Kapoeta road.
According to local authorities and the police, two criminals riding a motorcycle overtook, stopped, and ordered passengers out of a vehicle traveling from Kapoeta to Torit near the Idolu Bridge before firing at the travelers indiscriminately. One person was killed on spot and two others were injured.
The paramount chief of Hiyala Payam, Galileo Ohide, told Radio Tamazuj Friday that one of the suspects only identified as Okonyo, 28, was apprehended after soldiers deployed nearby intervened.
“There was a vehicle coming from Kapoeta to Torit and two youths who do not want to understand that there is peace came on a motorbike and stopped the car forcing the passengers out before shooting at them,” he said. “The soldiers in Idolu heard the gunshots and rushed to the scene and found that the criminals had killed one person and injured two others.”
Chief Ohide said that when the soldiers arrived, the thugs attempted to flee to Haforiere on their motorcycle but one was captured with a gun and arrested.
Meanwhile, Major General John Luny, the deputy commissioner of Police in Eastern Equatoria State, confirmed the incident and said the suspect who was apprehended had been taken to Torit where he will be interrogated about his accomplice who escaped.
“The incident happened at 2:30 pm on Thursday. Two criminals ambushed a vehicle and one of them was arrested while the other one fled,” he explained. “There is another man who was shot in the testicles but we think he just happened to be around the area and will investigate him further. We sent an operations vehicle with forces to the crime scene and the suspect in custody arrested will be investigated.”
Gen. Luny urged the public to remain calm ahead of the festive season as the government has made plans to ensure security.
“As the police, we have set a plan to protect all roads in and outside the towns we will patrol all roads before and during the festive season,” he said. “We will arrest all the criminals.”