Bus Station Inspection Thwarts Bullet Run
A routine dawn sweep at the Wau–Juba bus terminal in Aweil ended abruptly as police uncovered two heavy sacks packed with AK-47 rounds.
Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department acted swiftly, sealing the area before the suspected load could leave for the national capital, Juba.
Suspects, Evidence and Legal Path
Investigators identified bus driver Aguer Garang Bol and passenger Rieu Pioth Deng as key suspects, placing both men in custody for questioning.
Their vehicle and the uncounted cartridges are now logged as exhibits under Section 72 of the Penal Code, a clause that forbids possession of dangerous weapons and carries up to ten years behind bars.
Security Stakes for the Region
State police spokesperson Madut Ngong Aleu labelled the discovery a direct threat to national security, warning that illicit rounds often prolong communal violence and frustrate ongoing peace initiatives.
He stressed that every intercepted bullet narrows the supply chain feeding armed groups and therefore strengthens prospects for stability in Northern Bahr el Ghazal and beyond.
Pattern of Smuggling Attempts
Tuesday’s operation follows an August arrest in Tonj South County, where a woman was caught ferrying ammunition from the same state toward Tonj East.
The repetition suggests a persistent corridor for illicit arms, prompting police to intensify screenings along major road links connecting rural hubs to Juba.
Call for Civic Vigilance
Aleu urged residents to share tip-offs with security agencies, arguing that community cooperation remains the first line of defence against clandestine weapon flows.
He cautioned that anyone abetting such trade will face the full weight of the law, echoing the government’s zero-tolerance stance on organised crime.