Gov’t deploys joint security force to Bentiu POC as insecurity escalates at site

JUBA – Unity State government is deploying additional joint security force from the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO to the Bentiu Protection of Civilians Site (PoC) days after a GPOC employee was shot dead by unidentified gunmen, according to a senior state government official.

Gubernatorial security advisor Salaam Maluit said, according to Radio Tamazuj, that an already existing force inside the camp was not enough and as such the state government has decided to deploy a joint force to thwart the escalating insecurity inside the camp.

“The number of security forces currently in the PoC in Bentiu is not enough. We are adding extra security forces which comprise SPLA-IO and government forces to protect the civilians there in the PoC from criminals who rob properties at night,” Maluit said.

The senior government official further said there has been concerns that armed criminals were coming from outside the camp, in contrary to reports that the armed criminality originate from within the IDPs community.

A community leader identified as Bigoah Kuong Mayen, said: “These criminals are from outside the PoC but they have a network of their people within the PoC. That is the reason why we declared a night curfew and deployment of security forces within the POC.”