Army commander kidnaps in-law over bride wealth – family 

JUBA – A senior South Sudan army general has reportedly kidnapped a young man, his in-law, over allegations that he has defaulted on payment of bride price.

Thon Dhour, a family member of the kidnapped, said Madhieu Marial Gum, Chairman of Greater Yirol Youth Union, was kidnapped by Brig. Gen. Ayuen Nyok Riak who works in military headquarters at Bilpam in Juba and was, later on, whisked away to Bor town.

“The married of their daughter was conducted in 2019 and their daughter is currently staying in Yirol East with her four children. We don’t understand the reason for kidnapping our brother,” Dhour said.

Gum is believed to have been forcefully subdued by his attacker at 9 am on Tuesday and first confined in Sherikat Police Station before he was taken to Bor at night hours.

Dhour said the officer in charge of the Sherikat Police post confirmed to them Gum was illegally kidnapped by Brig. Gen. Ayuen Ngok Riak.

Dhour said Gum was brutally beaten up in Sherikat Police Station during his short stay in the cell.

“We went home and at around 5 pm they brought Gum out from the custody, he was tied upside down and canned 50 stokes after when fell unconscious, he was thrown into a car and driven to Bor town,” he disclosed.

Sudans Post managed to contact Gum in Bor on phone, where he confirmed being under police custody in Bor town.

“I am perfectly ok, I am now in the police station, I think it is the process of bringing me here which is not legal according to the laws of this country,” Gum said.

“This is a social issue; it is something to do with marriage. It has nothing to do with crime or violence; it is how it was arranged that caused concern,” he added.

Gum asp allayed rumors on social media that he had been killed by his in-laws.

“For those, we said I was killed. I am not killed; I am alive as I am now speaking with you. Tell my people that I am alive and now in Bor,” he added.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Mayen Akoon, Jonglei State Police Commissioner said that “He  (Gum) was brought here yesterday and I was with him yesterday. We are looking into this issue. I spoke with Inspector of Police Gen. Majak Akec regarding this issue,” disclosed the officer.

Such cases of a family taking the law into their hands especially by violently harassing in-laws have been occurring in South Sudan over years with analysts saying it is driven by huge bridewealth demanded by families in Jonglei, Warrap, and Greater Bhar EL Ghazal region.