Detained Malakal Director of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Nyok Bol (Courtesy).

Upper Nile State Police have confirmed the arrest of Malakal Director of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the disappearance of an army officer.

The state police commissioner, Major General Chol Atem said the suspect identified as Colonel Nyok Bol Ajeing had a misunderstanding with Yay Lual Thuch who went missing last week.

According to General Atem, Lual’s disappearance had caused tension between his colleagues and suspect Nyok, who initially fled Malakal town in fear for his life.

But Nyok returned on Friday and was arrested by a joint operation on the orders of the state security committee.

Speaking to Eye Radio on Monday, General Atem said the police officer is currently in detention at a military barrack in Malakal’s West Bank to avoid confrontation.

“We have taken him to prison, and now he is in the detention facility of the army (SSPDF – Commando battalion),” the police official said.

“We took him to the western bank of the Nile to avoid tension from different groups and this was per the order of the security committee which included the army, so they decided for this to be safe and not to bring more problems.”

“We are taking him to the western Nile as the investigation continues, so he is in the prison at the same time.”

Meanwhile, police commissioner General Atem says the body found in the river was of one of the returnees from Khartoum and not that of the disappeared officer.

He said the remains were for one of the returnees who jumped into the river and was drunk.

“One of the returnees from Khartoum fell in the river, and he was drunk. This is the third time for those who travel by boat.”

“This issue of somebody with the head cut off is not true and we have no information about it.”