Authority shut down a community police station in NBGs

Northern Bahr El Ghazal state police have closed the Mathiang community police center after a twenty-two-year man died in custody.

The suspected gang member was detained in community policing custody and found dead on Wednesday night.

An official says the incident is unacceptable, and suspected community police officers have been arrested for investigation.

The deceased, identified as Aleu Dut Chan, was accused of fighting with his colleagues. Aweil main hospital carries out the postmortem, which indicated several injuries in the body.

Captain Guot Guot is the Police spokesperson for NBG state. He says the center will remain closed until the case is solved.

Capt. Guot directed the community in the Mathiang area to report crimes cases to Mapper Akot, Gabat, Sikadid, and other police centers temporarily.

” We know it is a great challenge to the community on crimes happening, but there is no other option. The centers should remain closed from today till further,” he said

Authority asks the police officers in the state to take care of suspects and avoid such incidents.

Some community members who spoke to Akol Yam Nine One say the closure of the community police center will encourage threats and looting by suspects gang groups.

Ajok Mathiang is a community member. He says the community policing center was helping the public on security issues.

”As a resident of the Mathiang area am requesting the police Authority in NBG state to bring police officers from headquarters to lead the community policing center as it follows the case. Yes, crimes cases will increase soon.”

Rebecca Achol also urged the police to provide more training to the community policing officers on how to take care of suspects instead of closing the center.

”Before establishing a community policing station, we experienced many challenges on security threats and looting. They used to rob handbags and phones from women, young girls, and others.”

The community calls on the police authority to revise its decision to reopen the station. Last year, two people detained were found dead in police custody in Madhol and Warawar of Aweil East County.