Holiday Security Surge in Torit Town
Eastern Equatoria State launched a pre-holiday security surge across Torit town on Tuesday, stationing mixed forces at seven strategic points to reassure residents ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Local Government Minister Peter Lokeng Lotone, speaking for Governor Louis Lobong Lojore, described the operation as “critical for creating an environment where citizens can celebrate freely and safely,” adding a stern warning to neighborhood gangs against any disruption.
Joint Forces Strategy and Logistics
Police officers, SSPDF soldiers, wildlife rangers, firefighters and national security agents form a single command, rotating between Juba Bridge, Hai Neem, Torit County Headquarters, Adis Ababa Bridge, Sirikat, Hai Matara and the Municipal Council while a reserve of heavy artillery stands ready outside town.
Division Seven commander Gen. Moses Makuol Ajang ordered unified response drills, stressing zero tolerance for tribal bias or drunkenness on duty, and promising swift arrest and prosecution of any suspect, even if parents try to intervene.
Community Reaction to the Deployment
Torit shopkeeper Regina Otim welcomed the early patrols, noting that previous holidays saw petty theft spike after midnight masses; “this year we expect more singing than sirens,” she remarked by phone.
Human-rights activist Philip Amuk said the deployment must be accompanied by clear detention procedures to avoid arbitrary arrests, but acknowledged that visible joint units could deter gang activity that has unsettled Torit’s youth nightlife.
Balancing Tradition with Law Enforcement
Eastern Equatoria’s leadership has framed the operation as a bridge between cultural festivities and state authority, arguing that orderly streets bolster church services, family reunions and the local market’s booming roast-goat trade.
Officials indicated that lessons from the operation could inform future event policing in other towns, a sign that the state seeks scalable security models rather than ad-hoc crackdowns.