A South Sudanese soldier seen at unidentified area [Photo by unknown].

The army headquarters said the prime suspect in the killing of three foreigners and a South Sudanese in Warrap State is an SSPDF soldier from the Tiger Division.

The army spokesperson, Major General Lul Ruai Koang identifies the culprit as Yak Garang Yak.

“He is the prime suspect in the killing of four individuals. The reasons for the killings are not known but now, he is in our custody,” said the army official.

On January 7, 2023, Yak reportedly shot dead the three Syrian construction workers and a South Sudanese security guard at the construction site in Akon town.

Addressing the media in Juba on Tuesday, General Lul said the suspect is in detention at the 3rd Infantry Division in Wunyik, of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.

Lul said the leadership of the SSPDF has formed an emergency court martial to try the suspect.

He said the suspect will be transferred to Juba to face justice.

“As we speak plans are underway for him to be transported to Juba and on the same line the Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Santino Deng Wol as already initiated paper work and formation of emergency general court martial so that the suspect is tried and convicted here in accordance with our national laws.”

A court-martial is a military court or a trial conducted in such a court.

It is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the armed forces subject to military law and if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment.