By Baraka John
Police in Yambio have arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of football coach George Kobo, a killing that has shocked the sporting community, halted football activities in Yambio, and triggered widespread calls for justice.
Yambio County Chief Inspector of Police, Major General Osfaldo Kalchin Zuwe, said the suspect surrendered to police on Sunday evening, only hours after the shooting.
“While we were sitting in the office, a man ran in, fell to the ground, and cried out that he had killed someone. The Director of the CID immediately took him into custody and placed him in isolation. We then dispatched a team of CID officers to the crime scene. He said, “According to the report we received, the suspect found the deceased with a woman buying roasted maize. He claimed that the woman was his wife and accused the deceased of talking to her. The suspect then went home, retrieved a firearm, returned to the scene, and shot the deceased three times. The woman is currently under investigation.”
According to the police chief, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) immediately arrested the suspect and dispatched investigators to the scene to begin collecting evidence.
Preliminary findings indicate that Kobo was standing by the roadside buying roasted maize when an argument allegedly erupted. Police believe the suspect later returned home, retrieved a firearm, and came back to fatally shoot the football coach.
Investigators have also taken a woman believed to have witnessed the incident into custody to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Police have not yet established the motive behind the shooting.
The killing has sparked outrage among residents and youth leaders in Yambio, who are demanding a transparent investigation and swift justice for the slain coach.
The youth group in Yambio urged the Western Equatoria State government to tackle the root causes of violence, including unemployment, poverty and weak law enforcement, while expanding youth participation in peacebuilding and community security initiatives.
In response to his death, the Yambio Football Association (YFA) suspended all football activities and declared three days of mourning.
In a condolence message seen by King Media, YFA President Joseph Ndepi described Kobo as a dedicated servant of football whose death represents a major loss to the sport.
“His passing is a heavy blow to the entire football family. We have lost a committed young coach whose passion and dedication inspired many,” the association said.
Kobo was serving as head coach of Naduru Residential Area in the ongoing Yambio Inter-Area Tournament. Before taking up coaching, he enjoyed a successful playing career with Al Wehida Football Club and St. Mary Football Club. Also, he represented the Western Equatoria State team in national competitions.
Coach George Kobo was shot dead on Sunday, June 28, 2026.