Dr. Kennedy Gaaniko during interview with Eye Radio on the Dawn show on June 8 2021/photo Eye radio.

The Deputy Governor of Western Equatoria State has called for calm as the SSPDF and SPLM-IO forces have reportedly been conducting separate night patrols leading to panic in the state capital.

The situation is said to have started when Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba came to Juba on Sunday to answer inquiries from lawmakers.

Futuyo was summoned by the national legislature to answer questions related to the alleged unpaid salary arrears of former civil servants in the defunct states.

According to Dr. Kennedy Gaaniko, before the governor traveled to Juba, they held a security meeting and resolved to deploy a joint night patrol force to Yambio town.

He added that they resolved that the patrolling personnel shall comprise members of the SSPDF, Police, Prison Service, and the National Security.

Deputy Governor Gaaniko then alleged that, three days later, the SPLA-IO forces started conducting separate night patrols hence causing fear among the populace.

“The main reason why people are panicking is not because of who is to be the acting governor. But it’s the issue of patrolling at night in Yambio County,” the deputy governor told Eye Radio.

“In the state security meeting chaired by the governor, we resolved that the patrolling be composed of SSPDF, the Police, Prisons, and the National Security that will patrol as a joint force.”

“That’s the resolution we are implementing, but after three days, the officer who’s in charge reported to the security organs that the SPLM-IO force are also patrolling at night. So now there are two patrolling teams in Yambio.”

However, Dr Gaaniko said he is calling for calm and assured the state population that the night patrols are not a big issue.

“I’m encouraging the public to remain calm, nothing bad will happen to them, we’ll make sure that the security remains stable.  We don’t want our people to suffer again,” he said.

“Let’s wait to hear the result of the summon on our governor and we’ll be glad to receive him back in the state. So, summon is administrative, it’s normal for the national assembly to summon the Governor, Deputy Governor, ministers, and businesspeople.”

“I don’t think it’s a big issue because this is the function of any government institution, and we need to respect it. Just go defend yourself and they will also understand. We are ready to receive him back in the state.”

Several calls to the Governor’s press secretary, Alex Digi went unanswered.

Governor Futuyo on Tuesday appeared before the August House to account for the alleged unpaid salary arrears of civil servants in the defunct states of Amadi and Maridi.