Police arrest two for alleged arms smuggling in Aweil Town

AWEIL – Police in Aweil Town in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have arrested two suspects accused of smuggling ammunition to Juba and other parts of the country.

Police spokesperson Maj. Madut Ngong Aleu said the suspects were apprehended on October 6 following a tip-off about individuals involved in the illegal trade of Kalashnikov ammunition.

“We have apprehended two suspects through the work of the CID personnel, and investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the ammunition,” Aleu said.

He identified the suspects as Aguer Garang Bol, the driver of the vehicle, and Rieu Pioth Deng, the vehicle’s owner.

“These are the people we are holding as investigations continue to help us uncover where they access the ammunition they sell,” he added.

According to Aleu, the operation was carried out jointly by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), National Security Service, and Military Intelligence, who collaborated to intercept the suspects.

“It was a great job by the CID, National Security, and Military Intelligence personnel who tipped us off about the suspects,” Aleu said. He explained that the suspects tried to disguise their activities during the arrest.

“As we began the operation, one suspect attempted to transfer the ammunition—packed in sacks—into another vehicle, but our CID colleagues intercepted him. The ammunition was found packed in about five to six boxes,” he revealed.

Aleu warned that authorities are on high alert to dismantle the network behind such illegal arms deals. “Nobody is above the law. We are working hard to trace where they get their ammunition and to whom they sell it,” he stressed.

The police spokesperson also cautioned that possession of firearms by civilians remains illegal, saying anyone found using weapons to terrorise communities or threaten public safety will face prosecution.

Meanwhile, some residents in Aweil have expressed concern that the suspects might be connected to reports of armed groups regrouping in Aweil Centre County.

“There were rumours last month that some forces were regrouping in Aweil Centre. Who knows if that’s where they are selling the ammunition?” a youth, who requested anonymity, said.

Incidents of illegal ammunition trade have been reported elsewhere in the country. Earlier this year, a woman was arrested in Tonj, Warrap State, after confessing that she sourced her ammunition from Northern Bahr el Ghazal.

The continued proliferation of arms in local communities remains a major security challenge, with many civilians still holding onto guns—fueling insecurity and crime across the country.