Handcuffs - Courtesy

Juba County government has arrested 18 individuals suspected of involvement in land grabbing at Tokiman Village in Rajaf Payam following reports of escalating violence in the area.

A press statement on the commissioner’s official Facebook page said the arrests made on Saturday, came after residents raised alarms about worsening security situation, characterized by firearms intimidation.

Speaking to the media, Peter Samuel Morbe, an elder in Tokiman, condemned the alleged illegal land allotment, which he said began three years ago along the Yei and Kajo-Keji roads.

Mr Morbe stated that over 50 land grabbers had been involved in violent clashes with the community. He added that one person was injured during a recent confrontation, with some suspects fleeing the scene.

“What happened to us here is not good. We contacted the government but they are telling us there is a sector commander who is a brigadier and responding quickly to land grabbers.”

“When we were in a meeting in Lologo, the Brigadier came and shortly, one of MI elements informed us that there is demarcation in the area, then we rush there and we arrested ten of them. They are all from Mundari and they are now at the police station.”

Some of the residents alleged that the land grabbers have been using guns to intimidate farmers, forcing them off their land, and looting motorcycles along the roads.

Edward Legge Wani, the Chairperson of the Tokiman Youth Group, described the situation as a severe crisis for the community.

“I just have a message to our government especially the local government in regard to the problem that we are facing here.”

“We have very long time and we are facing a lot of challenges especially the issue of land grabbing it has become a long sickness here. There is no rest for us. We are running after the government but there is no any change or improvement that will help people.”

Meanwhile, Regina Anak, a women’s representative said the land grabbers are also involved theft and robbery with women being the most affected.

Anak is appealing to the government to take swift action to provide adequate security and resolve the conflict in the area.

“Your Kudura will be grabbed on the road. We walk for long distance footing but they don’t look into our suffering ,this are the people who are grabbing lands , we thanks government for their visit , this what the government is supposed to do.”