South Darfur gov’t deploys extra troops to enhance security in Nyala

July 5, 2016 (NYALA) – The government of South Darfur state has deployed large military reinforcements to enhance security and curb looting crimes in the capital Nyala during the Eid al-Fitr (festival of breaking the fast) vacation.

The state’s security committee has deployed convoys of vehicles and soldiers in Nyala to secure the commercial markets and the residents and their property.

A security source told Sudan Tribune under the condition of anonymity that the government decided to deploy security reinforcements to prevent the armed robbery incidents in the capital.

He pointed that at least 40 Land cruiser four-wheel drive vehicles loaded with troops are patrolling the capital and serving as rapid intervention force to arrest the culprits, saying also dozens of security points have been set up on the main entrances and around Nyala.

The security source assured the residents that night patrols are capable of covering all parts of the city especially commercial markets and strategic sites.

According to the source, the security organs had raided several hideouts of criminals and arrested a number of perpetrators and seized several stolen vehicles.

He stressed that the security organs have obtained information that could lead to the arrest of the real criminal network soon.

Last Sunday, South Darfur’s police director Balla Mohamed Hussein had warned the residents against firing celebratory gunshot during the Eid al-Fitr, saying his men would deal with them according to the emergency law.

He stressed that the government would take all unlicensed vehicles off the streets soon, pointing that those vehicles are major cause of crime in the state.

Following several looting and killing incidents last month, a number of residents have expressed concern over the return of the lawlessness situation which prevailed in Nyala before imposing the emergency situation.

Since July 2014, the governor of South Darfur Adam Mahmoud Jar al-Nabi, declared an indefinite emergency situation in the state, including a curfew from 7pm to 7am (local time) in Nyala.

The decision also banned riding of motorcycles by more than one person, holding weapons while wearing civilian clothes, vehicles driving around without license plates, and wearing a kadamool (a turban which covers the face).

(ST)