New IGP General Atem Marol Biar addresses a group of youth apprehended in Gumbo Sherikat. November 20, 2023 (-)

Police in Juba arrested about 72 youth that it branded as “suspected criminals” during operations at the Gumbo Sherikat residential area on Sunday night.

According to a statement on the official Facebook Page of the National Police Service, the young men were apprehended following directives from the newly appointed Inspector General of Police.

In pictured shared with the statement, General Atem Marol Biar is seen in the company of top police officials speaking to the uncuffed dozens of the suspects.

“The suspects were arrested last night after our operation unit were directed by the Inspector General of Police Gen. Atem Marol Biar to crackdown and end the activities of niggas and Toronto boys in Juba,” the police said.

The statement further reads that the “suspected criminals” were detained at Gumbo police station awaiting further police investigation.

Street gangs have been blamed for increasing crimes rates in the capital and the issue has persisted despite repeated crackdowns and arrests by security personnel.

A police official told Eye Radio early on Monday that some unruly gangs in Juba’s Lologo suburb have said they formed the groups to protect themselves and their families from the menace of other fellow thugs.