The minister of national security, Gen Obuto Mamur, has warned the youths in Eastern Equatoria State against ambushing vehicles along the way.

He made the statement while addressing a public rally at Camp-15 as head of the Juba high-level delegation to Torit.

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According to a statement released by Governor Louis Lobong’s press office on Thursday, Gen. Mamur warned that the government would take drastic measures against criminals who often set ambushes on state highways, causing insecurity.

“The government is dedicated to securing the highway, and anyone who interferes with people’s passage will face consequences,” he said.

The team travelled to Torit to assess the overall situation in the state and to assist the state government in boosting security.

The delegation urged communities in all counties to work with the government to maintain law and order and promote peace, harmony, and development.

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 “It is worth mentioning that Eastern Equatoria State celebrated the festive season in peace without any disturbance,” the statement from the governor’s office read.

Last year, Governor Louis Lobong led the state security team to crack down on the armed robbers who killed a driver and wounded three others.

On the evening of December 22, 2021, they looted the traders’ property in Hakuma-Maafi, a place known for its reputation for crime in the state.

The governor and security personnel were able to retrieve 50 stolen goats from the criminals. Governor Lobong has promised that his administration will not stop until Eastern Equatoria is free of criminals.

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Hakuma-Maafi is a location on the Torit-Kapoeta Highway where criminals from the surrounding villages have always conspired to harm road users.

In December, delegates from the villages of Haforiere, Tirangore, Mura-Hatiha, Hiyala, Loguruny, and Iloli made a declaration to the governor in New Kenya-Tirangore, requesting assistance in ending instability in their communities.

The delegates agreed that the state government should employ all available resources to combat the pervasive criminal activity among Hiyala Payam’s youngsters.

One of the resolutions passed at last year’s governor’s forum, which was attended by the governors of the 10 states and the chief administrators of the three administrative areas, was that the governors and the three chief administrators should put an end to insecurity in their respective states and administrative areas.

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Governor Lobong convened a political conference in November 2021 for lawmakers in the state and the national parliament to strategise on how leaders and ordinary individuals could work together.

Security, economy, and food security are among the topics discussed by the leaders, including border issues, the IDPs’ return process, development, and the appropriate use of natural resources for the common good of the inhabitants.

They agreed on several resolutions, including a request for a stop to the intermittent inter-and intra-village disputes in Torit County’s Hiyala Payam, as well as the formation of a hybrid committee to investigate the conflict and offer solutions.