A traffic police on duty in the street of Juba. | Photo: Courtesy.

The Inspector General of Police warned traffic personnel against creating unnecessary checkpoints and topping motorists on the roads to allow the citizens to celebrate the festive season peacefully.

Lieutenant General Atem Marol Biar’s vehicles should only be stopped over “questionable nature or notes.”

He made the remarks while addressing the deployed joint operation force in Juba on Friday.

“As for the traffic police personnel, I told you not to stop vehicles on the street without a reason. You are only allowed to stop vehicles of questionable nature or notes, and this is done through consultation.

“Let the citizens celebrate in peace and reduce checkpoints.

“We are ready to provide protection and security for all citizens in the capital and the states during the holiday periods, and we will expand the process of deploying forces to reach Nimule, Yei, Trikaka, and the rest of the outskirts of the capital,” he said.

This week, the joint operation collected about 4,000 firearms including anti-aircraft machine guns and anti-personnel mines from the hands of civilians and military personnel.

The same week, the South Sudan National Police Service mobilized 3,000 security personnel to maintain law and order during the festive season

According to Interior Minister Angelina Teny, the joint force now must uphold their mandates of protecting the citizens and ensuring the country’s reputation.

” I collected weapons from the hands of people who were not authorized to carry them because the law assigns you this right to protect the country, the homeland, and its property.

She goes on to say, “You will go to do one job, which is to provide protection and security for the citizens because you are mandated according to the law to provide this service,” adding that “You are responsible for ensuring the country’s reputation.”