Police and local authorities in Aweil South County in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have arrested a teenage suspect, Kuol Akoch Deng, following last week’s grenade blast that claimed the life of a 20-year-old youth, Malong Bol Arikin, in the area of Panthou. 

Michael Marial Makoi, the Aweil South County police boss, told Radio Tamazuj that the incident occurred during communal work organized by locals on 16 November 2020. The deceased fought with the detained suspect and ran to their home and picked a grenade intending to kill the accused, unfortunately, the bomb exploded on the way, killing him instantly. 

“The accused said the deceased was drinking alcohol and after he got drunk he started fighting with the people. He then says he tried to calm down the deceased and pleaded with him that he should let them continue working,” Marial said. “But they started fighting, were separated, and both told to leave the site. The deceased went home and took his father’s grenade and came back but before he reached the scene, the grenade exploded in his hands. He was alone according to the suspect who is with us now.’’

Tuau Mou Aguot, the Executive Director of Aweil South County, also confirmed the incident and said it happened when two young men fought resulting in the deceased losing two teeth. This according to Agout made him go and pick his father’s grenade which exploded on the way before he reached his adversary.

The government officials urged the family of the deceased to follow legal procedures and wait for the outcome of the final investigations.

Meanwhile, in Aweil North, police authorities say they have arrested two notorious criminals suspected of breaking into homes and shops.

“Yes, the security situation is not bad except for burglaries at the market and we have already arrested people, now people are at the prison. We did investigations and they were transferred to prison,” Aweil North police inspector Santino Garang told Radio Tamazuj.

According to him, the burglars who are being held responsible for robberies between 4-9 November 2020, were found in possession of stolen items including laptops, money, and clothes.

Aweil North Executive Director, William Deng Mou said the criminals had attempted an escape but were immediately arrested by police detectives in Aweil East county.