Security Alert Issued on Some Roads in South Sudan
Today, South Sudan authorities have issued a security alert on some of its highways following a spate of attacks by heavily armed robbers on motorists plying through them.
This comes after over ten ambushes have been carried out on the highways which connects the landlocked country to neighboring countries including Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Uganda. During the attacks several have been killed and property worth thousands of dollars robbed.
“Since early June 2014, business communities plying the Yei–Yambio, Yambio– Wau road in South Sudan have registered incidents of armed robberies of their goods in transit and torching of their vehicles,” said in a statement issued by South Sudan government.
“These security challenges have been confirmed by The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), however, the relevant security agencies are working together tirelessly to flush out the armed robbers responsible for the insecurity.”
The statement went ahead to say that therefore the authority alert the general public that there are potential dangers along the Yei–Yambio, Yambio-Wau road and request them to take the necessary precautions until they are assured that security has been restored.
It added on that South Sudan’s army, with the valuable support of UNMISS are committed to ensuring the safety and security of the people’s lives and property in South Sudan in particular and the region in general, and are working hard to address the security challenges.
A police officer at Yambio, along the affected highway said that they have deployed heavily at all the spots where attacks on motorists had taken place.
“We will soon get rid of all the armed thugs who have been terrorizing travelers on our roads.We have deployed adequately to improve on the situation,” he said.
This has come at a time when suspected terrorists have killed over 60 people within one week in Kenya.