By: Samuel Aru
A young man is recovering at Tonj Civil Hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds following an alleged ammunition smuggling incident.
According to Dr. Ayiei Bol, the hospital’s medical director, the man was brought in by police officers on Thursday around 2:00 PM, suffering from a serious gunshot injury to his upper arm. He had lost a significant amount of blood but is now in stable condition after receiving a donor transfusion.
“He was shot in the left upper arm, with the bullet radiating to the left side of the chest and exiting near the kidney. Fortunately, the bullet did not penetrate too deeply.”
The victim, speaking to Don Bosco Radio, claimed he was transporting ammunition to individuals in Apuk County when his motorcycle broke down at Aluel Agok checkpoint. While attempting to repair it, he said security forces discovered the ammunition and allegedly demanded money from him.
“They asked me to pay for the bullets, but I told them I had no money and suggested we go to Tonj town so I could get the money sent. They refused, and I left the ammunition with them and continued on my bike. That’s when they began to chase me and eventually shot me near Akucheng.”
He added that the security personnel mistook him for a criminal from Gok community before realizing his identity.
“I told them I’m not a criminal and that I was taking the ammunition to Apuk for someone who requested them to be delivered to Abiemnhom County.”
Attempts to get a comment from Tonj South County Commissioner were unsuccessful, as local authorities claimed no knowledge of the incident.
No official statement has been provided at this time.