By Hou Akot Hou
Police in Gogrial East County, Warrap State, have detained an elderly woman accused of seriously assaulting a neighbour and leaving him unconscious. Authorities are still searching for the woman’s son, who is also implicated in the attack.
The incident took place on Monday in Malual Amuk village. The victim, identified as Keero Thiik, was reportedly beaten in his compound and left unresponsive.
“We have apprehended the mother who is suspected of beating a man at Malual-Amuk with her son,” said Thiik Agoth Thiik, the head of the investigation department in Gogrial East County. “Only the son remains at large, and the search for him is ongoing.”
Mr. Agoth confirmed that the victim sustained injuries to his head and shoulder. He was immediately rushed to Kuajok Hospital for treatment, while the detained woman awaits further investigation.
In a separate development, police in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have made multiple arrests related to recent violent incidents, including a dispute over payment and a family brawl.
In Nyalath payam, Aweil Center County, police arrested a man for allegedly spearing his fellow farmer during a dispute over wages.
Police Inspector David Deng reported that the incident occurred on Monday evening at Aluel village. The fight broke out between Akol Keer (58) and Ayup Akec (60). Akol had hired Ayup to harvest crops but allegedly refused to pay a remaining balance of about 2,500 SSP.
“When Ayup Akec demanded the money after completing two farms, Akol refused to pay the balance, and they fought,” Inspector Deng explained. Akol Keer allegedly used his harvesting spear to stab Ayup in the back, causing him to collapse.
Akol was arrested and is being held at the Maper-akot-arupo police station, while the victim was taken to Ayu Hospital. Local residents allege the altercation may have been fueled by the consumption of a local, distilled brew known as Aragi.
Inspector Deng also reported another incident in Lool-nyang village, where a father was injured after intervening in a dispute between his son and two elders.
The elders reportedly attempted to flog the child after he insulted them. When the boy’s parents intervened, a fight broke out between the adults, resulting in the father being injured.
These recent events follow a troubling pattern of violence in Northern Bahr El Ghazal. Police recently arrested four gang members linked to the murder of 22-year-old Ben Ojok in Aweil town. This comes after a separate incident on November 26, 2024, where a 17-year-old was arrested for fatally stabbing his friend, Kuol Deng, underscoring ongoing youth violence in the region.
The state administration is currently grappling with the economic downturn and the use of illegal substances, such as Tramadol, which law enforcement needs to address promptly to promote lasting security.