AWEIL – Residents of Aweil Town in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State are raising alarm over a surge in night robberies, urging authorities to take tougher action against criminals.
The incidents, which have become more frequent in recent weeks, have left many residents fearful and on edge.
Garang Deng, a resident of Maper-Akot-Aru, said his daughter was recently robbed while attempting to collect a phone from a kiosk at night.
He added that in another incident, a man was attacked by three gang members but managed to overpower one of them and chase the others toward the town’s market centre.
“The issue of robbery using knives and machetes is becoming too common in many neighbourhoods across Aweil Town,” Deng said.
“On Thursday, my brother’s daughter was attacked. Luckily, she screamed and handed over her phone before things escalated. Such incidents are shocking, as this has never been part of the Aweil people’s culture.” Mr. Deng appealed to state authorities to devise a plan to prevent further attacks.
In Naivasha neighbourhood, Mary Aluat echoed the concerns, citing cases where bodies have been found at night. She recalled the discovery of a dead man in Maper earlier this year, a tragedy similar to one that occurred in Naifasha last year, where an unidentified person was found dead.
“This is dangerous. These criminals are treating it like a business, while the government does little despite being present here. We need proper night patrols from the police,” Aluat said.
Responding to the concerns, Aweil Town Council Mayor Joseph Yaach Deng acknowledged the rising insecurity and said discussions with the governor are underway. He emphasised the need for community policing to complement law enforcement.
“There is a need to work together with the community because law enforcement agencies cannot address this alone. Community policing is vital, and UNMISS can support by training local groups,” the mayor noted.
The rise in robberies is not unique to Aweil but reflects a wider trend across South Sudan. Analysts attribute the increase in crime to the country’s economic hardships, high unemployment, and ongoing insecurity, which continue to push many young people into criminal activity.
