Aerial view of Wau town. (Photo: Courtesy.)

Police in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, are investigating three separate incidents that claimed the lives of two men, including a prison officer and teacher, as well as a 15-year-old boy on Monday.

Speaking to Eye Radio on Tuesday, Wau Police Spokesperson Santino Udol said officers first responded to a reported shooting in the Achong-chong area at around 3:15 p.m. on 20 July 2026, after receiving instructions from the State Police Headquarters.

“At approximately 3:15 p.m., the Operation Police received instructions from the State Police Headquarters to respond to a reported shooting incident involving a civilian in the Achong-chong area. An operational team was immediately dispatched under the command of Colonel Manyang, Director of Operations,” Udol said.

While proceeding through the Eastern Bank area at approximately 3:30 p.m., the police team encountered another shooting involving Warrant Officer Michael Majok Madut, a member of the prison service who also worked as a teacher at Eastern Bank.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the officer was shot by unknown gunmen and died at the scene immediately. Police investigators attended the scene, and the body was conveyed to Wau Teaching Hospital for a postmortem examination,” he added.

Udol said a criminal case has been opened at the Eastern Bank Police Inspection, and investigations are continuing.

The police team later proceeded to Roc-roc-dong, where officers found another man who had been shot dead along the roadside.

The deceased was identified as Madhok Mayen Dut, 35.

According to Udol, police arrested a 48-year-old suspect believed to be linked to the killing after receiving information from members of the local community.

“The suspect was arrested at approximately 8:30 p.m. and is currently in police custody assisting with the investigation. The criminal case has been opened under the relevant provisions of the Penal Code Act, 2008,” he said.

In a separate incident, police also received a report at around 4:25 p.m. of a drowning involving 15-year-old Thuc Akol Akol.

His body was recovered from a river and taken to Wau Teaching Hospital for a postmortem examination.

Udol said investigations into all three incidents remain underway and appealed to the public to cooperate with law enforcement.

“The State Police Service assures the public that investigations into all the reported incidents are ongoing. We are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the deaths, identify any other persons who may have been involved, and ensure that suspects are dealt with according to the law.”

He urged residents to remain calm and share any information that could assist investigators.

“The State Police Service remains committed to protecting lives, maintaining public safety, and ensuring that all criminal matters are handled in accordance with the law,” Udol said.