The suspects were found with several weapons, including pangas, knives, cutters, and wooden sticks.
They were arrested during an operation targeting criminal gangs that had been disturbing residents in Juba from September 29 to 30, 2025, amid increasing concerns about deteriorating security.
They face charges of various offenses, including murder, robbery, theft, violence, and drug abuse.
Addressing media in Juba on Thursday, Maj. Gen. James Monday Enoka, police spokesperson, stated that 32 suspects have been arrested in relation to the recent increase in attack and robbery incidents in Juba.
“From 29 to 30 September 2025, a joint operation launched a crackdown on criminals. They managed to arrest 32 criminal gangs, including 9 underages,” Gen. Enoka said.
“The gangs used various weapons, which include pangas, knives, cutters, and wooden sticks, to commit different crimes, including murder, robbery, theft, violence, and drug abuse.”
Gen. Enoka stated that criminal cases have been opened against these suspects in the Gumbo police division.
“Last week I was also here, and by then a big number were arrested, which included 182, including 4 females and 9 underages,” he said.
He stated that all the suspects will be thoroughly investigated, and those found guilty will be brought before the court to face legal proceedings.
“The report I get here today is that 13 of those who were arrested last week have been convicted, and they have been sent to prison for reformation.”
He stated that the crackdown on criminal activities will continue in a bid to maintain stability in Gumbo as well as in the rest of the country.
“The same will apply to these suspects who are here. They will be thoroughly investigated; those found guilty shall be presented before the court of law, and those who are declared innocent shall be discharged,” he said.
He praised members of the security forces for their efforts in reducing criminal activities by arresting gangs associated with various offenses, including robbery, theft, violence, and drug abuse.
“I take this opportunity to thank and appreciate the forces in sector 6, which is headed by Brigadier Daniel Mabior and supervised by Major General Mangar, who is the director of ICT and also supervisor of the sectors,” he said.
“I congratulate them for the good job done, and I also thank the community in Gumbo for cooperating with these forces, which has enabled them to achieve the success we are seeing.”
This operation follows the emergence of a graphic video of an assault, allegedly involving around six to eight suspects, which surfaced online and sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice in June 2025.
