State security agencies have arrested a man suspected of last week's killing of the paramount chief of Alel Thony payam in Western Bahr al Ghazal's Jur River County.

Chief Chau Ucu Chau, also known as Malual Thon, was killed by a mob allegedly from Kangi payam. Jur River Commissioner John Arop said the chief's killing was a revenge attack for previous violence.

Arop told Radio Tamazuj that the security forces arrested one person from Kangi who claimed he killed the chief because he thought his brother was killed by people from Alel Thony.

“We arrested one and the two people suspected for the same killings are still being looked after by the state security agencies,” Arop said.

The commissioner condemned the killing of the chief, saying the late leader had no side in any cases in the communities. He reiterated that local chiefs are to help the government implement law and order.

Arop said they have deployed Special Forces in and around the county to protect the population during Christmas.