UNMISS destroys weapons seized from IDPs in Jonglei

December 29, 2014(BOR) – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) destroyed a number of weapons and ammunitions seized from internally displaced persons (IDPs) at it civilian protection sites in Jonglei’s state capital, Bor.

UN officials also recovered several AK-47 rifles and a number of hand pistols.

Col. Eddy Komane, the UNMISS deputy state advisor, said the operation to recover these weapons occurred in various stages.

“Actually, this operation was done in stages, the first one was when they entered the camp, and second was when they were relocated to the new POCs, and recently we conducted another search within their residences where they are stay within the POC”, said Komane.

He immediately declared that the protection of civilian site was free from weapons

“That has shown that, where they are staying now is weapons free. We can be very certain that there are no weapons”, Komanze said.

The UNMISS official said tough security would be put at entry and exit points at the sites to ensure no one smuggles in any prohibited item.

Meanwhile, Hazel De Wet, the UNMISS state coordinator also cautioned the public against entering the UN base with weapons.

“I still inform each and everyone here in Jonglei as well as in Bor town that we will do whatever it will take to ensure that no one enters our base with a weapon, because that’s not the way we operate at all in all the sites”, said De Wet.

She said the world body would conduct regular searches for the weapons and destroy all that is confiscate during search operation.

The deputy governor of Jonglei state state said the search operation was meant to ensure peace among the population in the state.

“We need to see our children growing up as future [leaders], so only peace will promote development to our people”, said Baba Medan.

Currently, the UN base in Bor hosts more than 3,000 displaced people.

(ST)