E. Equatoria launches investigation into killing of Nimule chief
September 10, 2013 (NIMULE) – Authorities in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria state say investigations into the killing of a traditional head chief in the town of Nimule are continuing but have not commented on whether any arrests have been made.
A delegation from Torit, the headquarters of Eastern Equatoria state, led by deputy governor Jerome Gama Surur visited the family of the deceased on Tuesday.
Magwi county commissioner, Francis Okech, told reporters in Nimule that security agents are questioning some “suspects” but declined to say how many or who they are.
“The head chief was a good person and he was always in touch with the security [agents],” said Okech.
“There are some people brought on board [as] suspects and this investigation will continue and many people may be identified,” he added.
Asked if any arrests have been made, commissioner Okech said “professional investigators” were still being sought to help unearth the circumstances around his death.
Meanwhile, a member of parliament representing Nimule in the Eastern Equatoria state assembly, Aventore Bilal, described the nature of the killing of the chief as “both political and criminal.”
“Everybody deplores the killing of the head chief,” Bilal said.
George Ajogo Levia’s father, Joseph Aceni, was shot twice on his way home Sunday night around one kilometer east of Nimule airstrip.
“One bullet fell on the chest and those people shot him in head after he fell down. This is something very tragic,” Aceni said.
In August Eastern Equatoria’s parliament decided to upgrade Nimule to the status of a town administered by a town clerk. Sections public in the area called for more consultations by the decision was implemented.
Nimule is around 192km southwest of Juba, South Sudan’s capital.
(ST)