The police in Lakes State have apprehended a local trader over the death of a prison officer in Rumbek.

The trader, Matoch Majok, who sells clothes in Rumbek Market, is said to have engaged in a fistfight with the prison officer identified as Ajuong  Mathiang after an argument last Tuesday. 

Lieutenant Colonel Moses Machuoc Bol, the acting police spokesperson in Lakes State, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that the police are investigating what led to the fight. 

"The two were having an argument based on personalities and what they were arguing nobody knows. But it was that argument where this local trader got annoyed and captured the neck of the prison officer and broke it," he said. "When he was taken to Rumbek State hospital, the officer passed away the following day at 3 pm."

According to the police official, the suspect was immediately arrested and taken to Rumbek Central County police station for investigations. 

The police investigator in Rumbek Central County, Martin Machiek, confirmed that investigations are ongoing with the suspect in custody.