By Baraka John
Police in Yambio, Western Equatoria State, have arrested at least fifteen individuals, including civilians and alleged members of organized forces, for their involvement in the recent surge of violent crimes. These crimes include the burning of houses, looting of civilian belongings, and attacking travelers along highways.
The arrests took place on Saturday and the suspects were immediately taken to the Yambio County police headquarters for processing. Acting Governor Daniel Badagbu confirmed the arrests, telling the media that the individuals detained were directly responsible for the ongoing chaos in the area.
“These criminals are the very ones committing crimes in Yambio, people do not sleep because they cause chaos every night,” Badagbu said. “Previously, I said that what is happening in Yambio has the hands of criminals, and today, the criminals are here. To the public in Yambio, those who were robbing you, are now in the hands of the government, and your protection is now guaranteed. Now people should move freely the way they want because the criminals are now in our hands.”
The acting governor’s statement was a message of reassurance to the residents, who had lived in fear due to the frequent disturbances. Following the arrests, local authorities reported a significant reduction in criminal activity.
Western Equatoria State’s Acting Police Commissioner General Samuel Tet also commented on the situation, noting that since the suspects’ detention, there have been no reports of looting, house burnings, or highway attacks. This development has brought a sense of calm to Yambio County, which had been struggling with rising violence since February 10, 2025.
“After the arrest of those criminals, three days now, no reports of looting and people do sleep peacefully, meaning those are the people who were looting in the residential areas, the Acting Police Commissioner said. Those criminals are the sons of the county who reside within. I urge all the civilians to be vigilant and report any unusual movement in their areas.
The security situation in Yambio has been deteriorating since the removal of former Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba in early February. Since then, the county has faced a series of violent incidents, including looting, house burnings, and deadly attacks on civilian passenger vehicles. The recent arrests are seen as a crucial step toward restoring peace and security in the region.