According to the army, the suspects reportedly include three former SSPDF deserters, civilians and individuals suspected of helping the network lure, hide and sell abducted children.
By Aguok Chok
The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) says it has arrested eight suspects linked to child abductions, kidnappings and trafficking in Juba following military intelligence operations.
The SSPDF spokesperson, Gen. Lul Ruai, said the arrests followed surveillance of a criminal network operating in Suk Darfur residential area, northeast of Juba.
According to Gen. Ruai, 23 children were reported missing under mysterious circumstances in the area over the past three years. The cases were reported to the police and later to the SSPDF.
“After thorough surveillance based on gathered actionable intelligence, operatives from Military Operations stormed different hideouts (houses) netting, arresting and detained a total of eight prime suspects,” he said.
The suspects reportedly include three former SSPDF deserters, civilians and individuals suspected of helping the network lure, hide and sell abducted children.
Gen. Ruai said a juvenile, identified as Ayella Dominic Onono, was tasked with attracting unsuspecting children using sweets and biscuits.
“He was given SSP600, 000 for successfully luring three children abductors,” the spokesperson said.
The SSPDF said abducted children were kept in designated houses before being sold to buyers, mostly from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).
According to the statement, a baby girl could be sold for SSP15 million in Juba, while a boy could fetch SSP9 million. In Greater Pibor, the reported prices rise significantly, with boys sold for between 45 and 50 cows and girls for between 30 and 45 cows.
The statement also identified former GPAA finance minister Hon. Stephen Jongkuch Kudumuch among those described as accomplices. Gen. Ruai said an elderly woman, Mary Amei, had stayed at his house with an abducted child before leaving for Gumuruk.
Following the minister’s detention, the woman was arrested in Gumuruk, according to the spokesperson. However, it remained unclear whether the child was still with her.
“One boy, who was abducted 20 days was successfully repatriated from GPAA and reunited with parents this afternoon,” Gen. Ruai said.
He added that eight children had been traced but were yet to be returned to Juba to reunite with their families. Three civilians reportedly escaped arrest and remain at large.
The SSPDF said the missing children came from different ethnic communities living in Juba, including Nuer, Dinka and Collo/Shilluk communities.
Gen. Ruai called on members of the public to remain vigilant, protect their children and cooperate with security forces by reporting suspected criminal hideouts.
On behalf of the SSPDF Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Santino Deng Wol, the army leadership congratulated the military intelligence personnel involved in the operation.
The spokesperson specifically commended Col. Valentino Yel and personnel from the Combat Military Intelligence Operations Department of Surveillance for their role in identifying and arresting suspects.
The SSPDF said efforts to trace the remaining children and bring those still at large to justice were continuing.