By Kei Emmanuel Duku
The South Sudan National Police Spokesperson, Maj. Gen. James Monday Enoka, has confirmed the arrest of three suspects linked to last month’s attack on Maj. Gen. Stephen Warikoz at his residence in the Gudele Two area of Juba.
On July 3rd, at 7 p.m., six armed men attacked Maj. Gen. Warikoz, a serving police officer, at his home. He sustained injuries to his left leg, and two of his relatives were also injured. The attackers fled with an unspecified amount of money.
Maj. Gen. Enoka said police launched a full investigation, which led to the arrest of three suspects. During the arrests, police found the suspects in possession of firearms. One of the suspects resisted arrest, leading to an exchange of gunfire with police. “During the arrest, the suspect exchanged fire with the CID and in the course of that, one of the suspects who possessed the firearms was shot at his leg to neutralize him but later on he died in the hospital,” Enoka said.
The police spokesperson added that authorities are still pursuing the remaining suspects who are at large.
In a separate incident, the Criminal Investigation Department also managed to arrest two suspects who broke into the home of former Chief Justice Chan Reec Madut in Juba’s Commercial Residential Area.
The suspects were linked to an August 5th incident where they broke into the home at 2 p.m. and stole a quantity of properties. Enoka confirmed the two suspects were arrested along with the exhibits used for committing the crime, and one suspect is still at large.
Maj. Gen. Enoka appealed to the public to assist police by providing information on the identity of the remaining suspects from both the July and August crimes.
He assured the public that all arrested suspects would be thoroughly investigated and taken to court to face justice. “These are all serious crimes, that is why police devoted their time to trace the criminals and all the suspects shall be investigated thoroughly and be taken before the court of law to face justice,” he stated.
Maj. Gen. Stephen Warikoz, the victim of the attack, appealed to parents to help reform their children who have joined gangs. He attributed the rise in gang activities to poor parenting, noting that a holistic approach is needed to minimize crime rates.
He also appreciated the Central Equatoria State Police for their swift action. “As police, we will double our efforts to protect civilians’ life and property. But again it is really unfortunate; these small boys are now becoming a threat to our community.
This is so sad and so bad and appropriate actions are going to be taken against them because as police, we are concerned with the safety and security of every South Sudanese,” Warikoz said.