Handcuffs - Courtesy

Police in Yambio city of Western Equatoria State have arrested the second suspect in connection with the killing of a foreign trader on January 14, 2024.

This comes after the first suspect, a police officer, was apprehended for killing the Eritrean national identified as Tesgay Abay Yohnas, according to the Commissioner of Yambio County.

Commissioner Mbiko Barakat also said a sum of 621 US dollars, 259,000 South Sudanese pounds, and two phones were recovered from the suspect.

The suspect, a 33-year-old sergeant named James Mathew reportedly confessed to the wrongdoing during a primary investigation.

Meanwhile, Barakat told Eye Radio on Friday that a 20-year-old sister to the prime suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder.

“All of them are now in police custody waiting for trail in the court of law. The suspect is one lady just between the age of 19-20 years. They are only two. The brother is the one who did the action and he already confessed,” he said.

Commissioner Barakat could not go into details as to why the sister of the prime suspect is also being investigated.

In a statement dated 15th January 2024, the Commission for Refugees Affairs of the United Nations condemned what it described as shocking killing of the businessman at his place and called for justice.

“The perpetrators for this crime must be held accountable for their tragic action,” said the UN agency.

“We acknowledge the immediate action and effort taken by the Western Equatoria State Government to apprehend he murderer of the deceased and we are optimistic that the rule of law prevails accordingly.”

The commission went on to urge the Eritrean community and the refugees to stay calm and promote peace and unity in the state.