Prison break in Unity State leaves 2 police officers dead
By Ruot George
Two police officers were shot dead when army men from the Sudan People’s Liberation Force, led by a top official broke into a prison in Leer County of Unity State.
The incident happened on Friday morning when SSPDF Col. Gatkuoth Jocknyang took matters into his hands, in defiance of the law and with 8 bodyguard broke into the prison to release one Mayian Kuol Chuol who was incarcerated on murder charges.
According to Leer Police Commissioner, George Kong Gattang Chuol, the deceased officers, 1st Lt. Majak Thian Jany and Captain Nyuon Jany Bol were part of a joint operation force deployed at a market near the prison.
Chuol said Jocknyang also beat up Col Younes Kuol Liah, the Director of the Prison before ordering his heavily armed guards to shoot dead the two officers.
Jocknyang’s bodyguards were heavily armed, carrying AK47s, 2 RPGs and 2 PKMs, he said.
Jocknyang later proceeded to break the prison cell gates and remove the suspect, taking him to the military barracks in the area, According to Chuol.
He said the suspect was arrested on 26 February in Thornyor payam over the stabbing to death of a soldier, Lt. Col Mut Kubay Chan while on his way from Muom cantonment site to Leer town.
The deceased was a member of soldiers who belong to the opposition group, South Sudan Opposition Alliance.
