Unity state trader murdered; police make four arrests

By Bonifacio Taban Kuich

November 3, 2012 (KAMPALA) – A trader was shot dead on October 31 by an unknown gunman in Biemrouk village near the Unity state capital, Bentiu.

28 year old Mathew Bol Nyirbang was murdered in his house by someone allegedly wearing a South Sudan Police uniform. Widowed Veronica Nyalok Gatpan said the attacker entered their home while they were sleeping.

Gatpan said the intruder pointed a gun at their young son, then pointed a torch in her face. She shone a torch back at him and woke her husband. As her husband awoke the attacker shot him twice in the chest and fled with a bag.

Days before a trader was shot in both legs while sleeping in his shop in Benitu.

The state police’s director of crime and investigation, Hussein Girish Yambio told Sudan Tibune on Thursday that October has seen a marked increase in crime in the state. He said this is due to Benitu’s increasing size and an influx of returnees.

Authorities in the state called for an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the crime wave resulting in the deployment of more police officers throughout Benitu.

“We decided to build four or five polices stations, two police stations in the Biemrouk area, one will be in Ariab and another one will be at Bilnyang area,” said Yambio.

He said that four suspects have been arrested in connection to the murder and are being held at the police station while investigations continue.

An Benitu trader who requested to retain his anonymity told Sudan Tribune that the government needs to improve the state’s security situation, not only for the citizens safety, but because it will improve the state’s business potential.

(ST)