WAU – Authorities in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal state have apprehended at least seven criminals in connection with this month’s Catholic Church robbery in which thousands of dollars and pounds were stolen.
On May 9th, unidentified thieves broke into residence of the Catholic Bishop of Wau Most Reverence Matthew Remijio and made it away with at least $20,000 and over SSP70,000.
Electronics such as computers, satellite Thuraya phone as well as documents were also stolen in the nigh robbery.
Speaking to the media while parading the suspects, Western Bahr el Ghazal police commissioner Major-General Samuel Ajuong Chwar said at Wau main police station that some of the suspects were arrested in Juba and taken to Wau.
“We arrested some here but today (Saturday) is the day that we brought the last suspects from Juba,” General Ajuong said.
“For justice to be served, we will take them to court. If they are free of the crime, they will be released and if they are found guilty, they will face imprisonment,” the police commissioner added.
For his part, Western Bahr el Ghazal state cabinet minister Arkanjelo Anyar Anyar welcomed the police efforts to apprehend the suspects.
“We appreciate the efforts of the police that went up to Juba to bring the culprits,” Anyar said. “I’m ordering the police and the prosecutor to continue with the investigation and tell us what really happened.”
Father Dominic Luka who spoke on behalf of the Catholic Church in Wau said: “For sure when the incident happened, it was surprising. How could thieves steal from the house of the bishop but we in the church, are in the hands of the government that is why we reported the case to the government.”
“The government should continue with its work because nobody is above the law,” he added.