Army officer detained in Bentiu after fire guts ammunition warehouse

JUBA, JUNE 10, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – A senior officer of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has allegedly been arrested at the army’s 4^th infantry division headquarters in Bentiu after two ammunition warehouses caught fire.

Speaking to Sudans Post, a security source in Rubkona said Brig. Gen. Phar Bipean Machar, who was head of the logistics at the base until Thursday, was arrested on suspicion of standing behind the destruction of all the two ammunition warehouses at Bahr in Rubkona area.

“Brigadier General Phar Bipean Machar has been arrested because he is suspected of setting the ammunition warehouse on fire,” he said.

“There is no confirmation to this accusation, but since the incident happened the same day he was replaced, the army is investigating it while he is in custody,” the source said.

The 4^th infantry division’s ammunition warehouse caught fire on Thursday day with residents who mistook it for fighting flying the town.

Local government officials in Rubkona told Sudans Post yesterday that at least 10 people, four of whom are civilians, have been wounded and that they were being given medical treatment at various local medical facilities operated by aid organizations.