By James Innocent
Police authorities in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State, say crime levels in the area have declined since the beginning of January, despite ongoing economic hardship facing the population.
The Inspector of Police for Yei River County, Ali Abdallah Tiff, told journalists that the police have recorded only a small number of minor offenses since the start of the year, including the 2025 Christmas period.
“We have seen an improvement in security.
Since the beginning of the year, we have registered only a few minor crimes in Yei,” Ali said, attributing the trend to increased vigilance and cooperation between the police and the community.
However, the police chief noted that youth involvement in criminal and gang-related activities remains a major concern. He urged parents and guardians to take greater responsibility for guiding and monitoring their children.
“The challenge we still face is young people joining the wrong groups,” Ali said. “Parents must take care of their children, and young people should focus on education as a way to fight poverty and build a better future.”
Youth leaders, however, point to deeper structural problems. Gaga Frank, the Youth Leader of Yei River County, said many young people are drawn into gang activities due to limited opportunities and unmet needs.
“Most youth join gangs because the government and its partners have not adequately addressed key challenges affecting young people across the country,” Frank said, citing unemployment and lack of access to education and skills training.
Women leaders have also echoed calls for stronger parental responsibility.
The Chairlady of the Yei River County Women Association advised parents to closely monitor their children to prevent them from engaging in criminal behavior that could lead to imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Navincent Kujo, a police officer working in the Yei Police Gender Department, reported that more than ten minor gender-based violence (GBV) cases have been registered since the beginning of the year.
“Some cases have already been resolved, while others are still pending judgment,” Kujo said, adding that the police continue to encourage survivors to report incidents and seek justice.
Despite the reported decline in crime, community leaders and authorities agree that sustained investment in youth development, education, and social services is essential to maintaining peace and security in Yei River County.