By Lodu William Odiya
The Commissioner of Tonj South County of Warrap State, John Ayitiak Warwien, and security personnel have apprehended a woman smuggling over 1000 bullets in a bag.
Ayitiak underlined that the suspect left Wau, and they were arrested at Alol in Tonj South County.
In a phone interview with this outlet, Commissioner Ayitiak said that on Wednesday evening the security forces at the checkpoint arrested a retrieved bullets being smuggled to the area.
“What you are seeing online is true; on Wednesday at 10:30pm security forces detained a bag of groundnuts; however, during the checking it was found out to be mixed with bullets,” Ayitiak said.
“The security arrested them at our border, the car carrying them was coming from Wau, and when we separated the groundnuts and the bullets, we found out there were 1227 bullets, almost two boxes,” he added.
The commissioner revealed that after discovering the bullets, the security organs investigated the driver, who exposed that the bullets were sent to a woman residing in Tonj South County.
“When we heard this, we told the driver to call the woman to come and pick up her luggage, which he did, and we arrested her. She admitted it but claimed that someone sent them to her,” he said.
The commissioner revealed that both the woman and bullets have been detained while investigations are underway to ensure that those involved in such deals are all arrested.
“That woman said the bullets were sent to her by someone she demanded money from, and so the woman is detained, and the bullets are also at the military intelligence office, and the investigation continues; it is dangerous business,” he said.
Tonj South County Commissioner John Ayitiak Warwien appreciated the security forces, citing that the crackdown on weapons will continue until peace is attained.
He expressed that there are reports of illegal trading in weapons in some parts of Lakes State, where residents from several parts of Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal are involved.
Ayitiak urged the South Sudanese to cease illegal businesses.
“I urged the citizens and people of Warrap in particular to cease selling weapons. We need peace, and we shall continue to arrest those who are against peace. Just see how someone wants to sell over 1000 bullets and kill one million people,” he said.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to bring peace to Warrap State and South Sudan at large.
It stated the action was a milestone towards the efforts of re-establishing stability and peace in the region and prosecuting those responsible for perpetuating the violence.
However, in a video shared by commissioner office Agur Akuei, a woman who was allegedly involved in the business said the bullets were sent to her from Wau by someone she demanded.
“Someone I am demanding money from sent me these bullets so that I can sell them and get my money back. He told me that he has sent them through someone strong enough to ensure that the bullet reaches me in the sack,” she said.
She underlined that since the government has already arrested the bullets, she still demands money from the person who had sent her the bullets.
“I want to sell them in Maper in Pakam. I am disappointed with people who usually take my money,” she said.
Meanwhile, the executive director for INTEPID South Sudan, Bol Deng Bol, urged the government to keep the bullets in good hands.
“I would only urge the government to keep in good hands the ammunition once retrieved from unauthorized users to avoid the current circles where they find themselves back in the hands of civilians,” he emphasized.
He further highlighted that blocking the loopholes in the management of the country’s firearms could help mitigate the apparent wild proliferation of arms across the country.
Recently, a new report from One Citizen Network for Democracy (OCND) has revealed an increase in gun violence across South Sudan, with over 800 people killed in the first six months of 2025.