A coordinated security operation in Gumbo has resulted in the arrest of twelve suspected gang members, including a serving soldier, in a targeted effort to dismantle a criminal network responsible for ongoing violence in Juba’s suburbs.
The operation, led by a joint security task force, targeted known crime hotspots and led to the recovery of weapons, burglary tools, and other criminal weapons believed to have been used in numerous break-ins and assaults on the locals.
Among the items that were seized were pangas, master keys, and a pistol, raising alarm over the growing militarization of criminal gangs operating in the capital.
While being interviewed by journalists on July 17, Maj Gen James Monday Enoka the police spokesperson of the National Police Service (NPS) said that the group is linked to a series of violent attacks, thefts, and intimidation campaigns across neighborhoods such as Gumbo, Sherikat, and the Bor road corridor.
“This group has been tormenting civilians through violence, looting, and intimidation, especially during night hours and at times causing deaths,” Maj Gen Enoka said during a press briefing.
The NPS police spokesperson added that the operation is part of a broader government effort to restore safety in communities plagued by gang activity.
The arrests come in the wake of widespread public outrage following the circulation of a viral video that showed violent assaults in Sherikat. The footage prompted national condemnation and renewed demands for swift justice and security sector reform. In response, security forces have launched one of the most extensive anti-gang operations in recent years, resulting in over 600 arrests across Central Equatoria State in South Sudan.
The operation is part of a broader government effort to restore safety in communities plagued by gang activity.
While many residents have welcomed the crackdown as a necessary step toward restoring public order, human rights advocates and community leaders have expressed concern over how some arrests were conducted.
Several families allege that some of those detained have no ties to gang activity and were apprehended based solely on their appearance or for being outside during evening hours. However, the authorities have pledged to investigate all detainees thoroughly and ensure that legal procedures are properly followed.
Police have also called on the public to work closely with law enforcement to maintain peace and support ongoing security operations.
“With the community’s support, we can put an end to this wave of violence,” Maj Gen Enoka affirmed.
As South Sudan continues to face economic hardship, rising unemployment, and widespread insecurity, experts warn that policing alone will not solve the underlying issues. Without addressing youth marginalization and lack of opportunity, such security measures may offer only temporary relief.
