Arms proliferation threatens security in Lakes State – Governor  

JUBA – The proliferation of illegal firearms around Lakes State is alarming and worsening the already fragile state, Governor Makur Kulang said Wednesday.

Lakes State has witnessed a series of incidents recently ranging from killing of  22 civilians in Rumbek East, 20 over girl elopement in Annuol Payam of Yirol West, shooting of bishop, and killing of two breastfeeding mothers.

“All these incidents are happening because of availability of guns at hands of civilians and this is the main challenge facing the State,” the governor said upon receiving high level delegation from Juba headed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gen. Majak Akec Malok in Rumbek this morning.

The chairperson of Investigation Committee who doubled as State Minister of Cabinet affairs, Stephen Mathiang Deng Monydit disclosed that the shooting of Italian bishop is a murder attempt that will not go unpunished.

“The Catholic Diocese of Rumbek has nothing to do with usual Lakes State crisis but a murder attempt plan by individuals within Church vicinity,” Mathiang told the high level delegation.

Gen. Akec said the leadership is bitter about the tragedy shooting of the bishop, adding that they want the culprits to be brought to book.

“What is now remaining is to bring the culprits into the justice by first arresting them and I assured you the committee and State government that my institution will do whatever it can to support the process of apprehending those criminals who shot the bishop,” Akech said.