By Emmanuel Mandella
Police in Western Equatoria State are investigating two separate deadly shooting incidents, including the death of a young man found inside his residence in Yambio and a gunfire exchange involving two South Sudan People’s Defenses Forces (SSPDF) officers in Tombura County that left one officer dead and another injured.
The circumstances surrounding both incidents remain unclear, with authorities working to establish the motives behind the shooting and to identify the individuals responsible.
Major Martin Joseph, a police officer who spoke to The City Review, confirmed that a suspect had been arrested in connection with the death of the young man, identified as Gambo Allison Rakumbo, a 26-year old.
The incidents have renewed questions about public safety and the challenges affecting the effective delivery of services by security agencies.
Joseph said police are still gathering more details on the incidents, but affirmed that firm legal action will be taken on anyone involved.
“We still do not know the motive behind the killing. Our colleagues are continuing with investigations, and more details will be revealed later,” Joseph said in response to questions about Allison’s death.
Gambo Allison was found dead inside his residence in Masia Central in Yambio County.
The incident, the official says, was reported on October 15, 2026, at approximately 11 p.m. Police would later launch a manhunt and arrested a suspect in connection with the case.
Joseph said the motive remained unknown and that police were working to establish the circumstances surrounding Allison’s death.
He did not provide further information about the victim’s injuries, the suspected method of killing or whether investigators had identified a possible relationship between the victim and the arrested suspect.
Military clash
In a separate incident in Tombura County, two SSPDF officers reportedly shot each other, resulting in the death of one officer and injuries to the other.
The incident was raised during the interview with Joseph, who was asked to explain the circumstances surrounding the shooting and whether police had established what triggered the confrontation.
However, Joseph said he had not yet received an official report from Tombura County and could not provide a detailed account of what happened.
Joseph said he would provide further information once the necessary details became available.
Meanwhile, Joseph said police were conducting joint patrols as part of efforts to strengthen security in Yambio, Tombura and other parts of Western Equatoria State.
The patrols are intended to help security personnel monitor public spaces, respond to emerging threats and prevent criminal activities.
Joseph identified poor road conditions as one of the major challenges affecting police operations, particularly when officers need to travel to locations where incidents have been reported.
“The challenge that we are facing is the bad state of the roads,” he said.
While police patrols remain an important part of public security, their effectiveness also depends on reliable transport, communication and the ability to reach affected areas without unnecessary delays.
Joseph did not provide figures on the number of patrols being conducted, the locations covered or the resources available to police teams.
The two incidents have placed renewed attention on the need for thorough investigations and public communication about cases involving loss of life.
Joseph said he expected to meet the police commissioner to discuss the cases and obtain more complete information, however, no final findings were available at the time of the interview, and the anticipated briefing should not be treated as confirmation that the cases would be resolved by that time.
For now, the key questions remain unanswered: what led to Allison’s death, what triggered the confrontation between the two officers, and the evidence investigators will gathered in the two cases.
As investigations continue, police face the dual responsibility of establishing the facts and keeping the public informed without compromising the integrity of their inquiries.
For residents of Western Equatoria, the immediate priority is clarity about the two deaths, accountability based on evidence and effective security measures that protect communities across the state.