According to Investigation Officer Manyok Riing, the woman’s marital dispute escalated into threats against her family. She allegedly told her husband that if he refused to grant her a divorce, she would kill him, harm their children, or take her own life. Alarmed by the threats, community members reported the matter to the police.
“When the report reached us, we dispatched officers to apprehend her. In the process, she struck one of our officers, Achol Atem Atem, on the head with a large stick,” Riing said on Wednesday.
The suspect resisted arrest and managed to escape, leaving the officer injured. Police say her whereabouts remain unknown, but inquiries are underway in Twic County and neighbouring areas.
Officer Achol is currently receiving treatment at Mother Teresa Hospital in Twic County. Riing confirmed that the officer is recovering but stressed that the assault is a serious criminal offence.
“The suspect now faces multiple charges, including assaulting her husband and attacking a law enforcement officer. These are punishable under Article 245 of South Sudan’s Penal Code,” Riing explained, adding that a case has been formally filed against her.
Cases of people resorting to violence instead of seeking justice through formal institutions remain common in Warrap and other parts of South Sudan. Legal experts blame the trend on limited public awareness and a lack of trust in the justice system. Many communities still rely on violent confrontation or traditional forms of retribution rather than turning to courts or police.
Observers argue that this pattern not only endangers families but also undermines law enforcement, as officers face resistance when intervening in domestic disputes. “Ignorance of the law is making matters worse. Many people do not know their rights or the proper procedures for addressing grievances,” one legal practitioner told this publication.
Police have urged the public to provide any information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest, stressing the importance of cooperation in ensuring community safety.
