The police in Juba have revealed that 600 suspected gang members have been arrested and awaiting arraignment in court after investigations.
Speaking to the media, the police spokesperson, Maj. Gen. James Monday Enoka confirmed the incident, adding that the hunt for suspected gangs will continue to reduce crimes.
Monday reiterated that the successful operation was carried out by Central Equatoria police, the host state.
The crackdown follows multiple reports of a horrific incident involving the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl in the Gumbo-Sherikat suburb.
It comes after a graphic video of the assault, which allegedly involved around six to eight suspects, surfaced online, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.
Activists and officials, including the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, have condemned the act and have pushed for stronger laws and enforcement to combat gender-based violence.
Spokesperson Maj. Gen. James Monday Enoka reiterated that the hunt will continue and those arrested will be investigated.
“The police have arrested 623 niggers; they are from different groups that were disturbing the city, such as 4SG Slime, West Coast, ODA, Killers Gangs, Black Devils, and others,” Monday said.
“We remain committed as police to ensure that those suspected of committing crimes in the city and across states and administrative areas are handled,” he added.
He appealed to the parents across Juba to ensure they keep their children indoors and advise them to avoid moving at night.
“Let your children stay in their houses and report the criminals to us. We know what to do. All this is meant to keep Juba calm and secure,” he urged.
The suspected gang members arrested are from more than six groups, including 4SG Slime, West Coast, ODA, Killers Gangs, and Black Devils, among others.
Recently, the South Sudan National Police Service is said to have arrested four suspects in the alleged gang rape of a girl in Shirikat after a video of the assault circulated online.
Maj. Gen. James Monday, police spokesperson, confirmed that the four suspects, out of eight involved in the rape, are now in police custody.
The Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) has strongly condemned the brutal gang rape of a young girl in the Shirikat area of Juba, an incident that has shocked the nation following the circulation of a disturbing video on social media.
In an official statement, the CPA described the act as “brutal and inhumane” and called for urgent action from authorities.
“This horrifying incident reflects a deeply troubling rise in gender-based violence in our communities,” the statement read.
He urge law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities to immediately investigate this case and ensure that all perpetrators are arrested and held accountable in accordance with the law.
