Crime barricade tape. | Courtesy.

A newly elected chairman of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp along Juba-Yei Road was speared and wounded on Thursday during his inauguration celebration, police said.

National Police Spokesperson Major General Daniel Justin said the wounded camp leader identified as Elijah Hon Badeap, is currently under medical supervision at a hospital in Juba.

The incident occurred just a day after a 19-year-old boy was stabbed to death in alleged gang-related fighting in the camp that hosts more than 40,000 IDPs.

General Justin said further clashes erupted after the community leader’s wounding but could not be able to provide details on casualties.

The police official said 3 suspects have been arrested, and an investigation to establish the motive behind the attack is underway.

General narrated that the conflict appeared to have started between the previous camp administration and the current one over some office items that were not handed over to the new leadership.

“They conducted an election, and a new chairman took over the new office, but after that, clash came and one of the new chairmen was wounded, so we went there and escorted him to the hospital and the situation now is calm,” said the police official.

“The leadership was about to be changed and it was actually changed then the new chairman took over office. Then in the process there are certain things which were not handed over to him, so the clashes erupted.”

“The new chairman was wounded now, we are investigating the details as to what actually happened, it is a spear the suspects arrested were three.”

On Thursday, General Justin said the police service is considering establishing a station inside the camp that was handed over to the government, over increasing crimes.