5 soldiers linked to killing of 3 civilians in Kajo-Keji arrested as calm returns

JUBA — At least five soldiers belonging to the South Sudan People Defense Forces (SSPDF) have been arrested for allegedly killing three civilians in Kiri Village in Kajo-Keji County of Central Equatoria State, Kajo-Keji County Commissioner Kenyi Erasto said.

On 26 May, three young men were allegedly shot dead by SSPDF soldiers in Kiri Village.

The wanton and gruesome killing of the teenagers occurred after the SSPDF soldiers found one of their colleagues dead in one of Kajo-Keji villages under unclear circumstances.

The officers believed to be on a revenge mission went rampage by shooting 3 innocent teenagers, killing them instantly.

Kenyi confirmed on Sunday the arrest of five SSPDF soldiers responsible for killing of three teenagers.

“The killers have been arrested of course with support of county authorities. The people who were sent to the operation have already been arrested and they are under investigation. They are five soldiers,” Kenyi told Sudans Post via phone interview from Kajo-Keji.

Kenyi said calm has returned to his area after the arrest of those soldiers.

“The current security situation have normalize but civilians are still scared,” Kenyi said.

He said the return of IDPs and refugees back to their places will not be realized with kinds of atrocities.

“This incident that has happened has scared people but that does not mean that we should not believe in the peace or the relative peace that is there,” he said.

“The family in which the two were killed were recent returners who came back home to rebuild their lives and enjoy the relative peace that is there but this incident is scaring community.”