By Samuel Aru
Warrap State authorities have confirmed the arrest of three individuals on Sunday who were allegedly caught smuggling firearms into Tonj North County, an area recently affected by deadly inter-communal clashes.
State Information Minister William Wol Mayom told Don Bosco Radio that the suspects had concealed firearms in bags of groundnuts while traveling in a Toyota Land Cruiser. The security forces in Warrap town discovered the firearms during a routine inspection.
The suspects are currently in custody, awaiting further investigation. Minister Wol affirmed the government’s commitment to restoring peace in the conflict-ridden areas of Greater Tonj, despite isolated incidents of revenge killings between the Thiik and Akook Deng Achuil communities.
“It’s unclear where the firearms were destined for, but the discovery came just a day after 20 people were killed and 38 others injured in the ongoing violence in Tonj North,” Wol added.
According to multiple reports, 16 bags of firearms were found concealed among the groundnuts.