Two men who were found guilty of robbing a motorbike in Yambio County of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State have both been sentenced to three years in prison.

The suspects robbed the motorbike at gunpoint in Riimenze area last week before security agents arrested them in Tambura County.

A statement from the mobile high court extended to Radio Tamazuj on Friday stated that the convicts were found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison under Article 656, section 305 of the Penal Code.

The court ruling took effect from August 21, 2020.

According to the court document, the convicts, identified as Emmanuel John Waku and Eliakima Elisama, will also pay 50,000 SSP in compensation for general damages caused to the complainant.

For is part, Emmanuel John Waku said he opted for robbery due to poverty. He, however, urged youths to engage in productive work, not theft.

Meanwhile, Friday Kakas, a commercial motorcycle operator in Yambio town, appealed to authorities to maintain peace and security in the area.

The newly-appointed state governor has vowed to prioritize security.