Gunshots as uniformed gunmen try to force their way in at Bentiu POC

BENTIU – Gunfire was heard at Sector three, four and five at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan Protection of Civilian Site in Bentiu on Thursday night, after five men in army uniforms tried to force their way into the civilian sanctity, according to several IDPs.

The incident, one POC resident told Sudans Post this afternoon, took place at the entry gates of the three sectors after UN peacekeepers detected that the uniformed men were carrying guns.

The five men the fired gun shots at the UN peacekeepers after they were denied entry.

“Yesterday night, around five men in SSPDF uniforms tried to force their way inside the UN POC in Rubkona (Bentiu). They were detected by the UN peacekeepers and when they were denied entry, they fired at the UN peace keepers,” one IDP said on condition of anonymity from Bentiu.

“This has raised concerns from the IDPs over their safety because since the gun people heard that the UN peacekeepers were withdrawing from the POC, they have been thinking of coming into the camp to do what they want,” the IDP added.

Another camp resident said there were no casualties reported and said calm has since returned to the POC, but said fears was escalating among the IDPs as attacks inside the camp has increased over the last few weeks.

“As of now there is calm and no one has been hurt yesterday but the fear is growing among the IDP community over safety given the rise in attacks in several sections of the camp and this is a very big concern,” he added.

Last month, two people were killed inside the camp after gunmen entered the POC without being noticed by the peacekeepers, days after the UN mission announced that it was pulling out troops from civilians camps across the country.