Robber gunned down by shop keeper in Aweil town

By Hou Akot Hou

A man who broke into a residential house during Christmas festive in Aweil town of Northern Bahr El Ghazal state was shot dead by the shop keeper.

Philip Madut, the Commissioner of Police in Aweil town said the suspected robber was gunned down last week in Gabat residential area.

“The thief was stealing and in the process the owner of the house took his gun and shot him. These thieves are armed and at times you may end up getting killed, so the owner of the house gunned him in the chest and he died immediately,” Madut told Jube Echo on Thursday in Aweil town.

He said the slain robber whose name police did not divulge found the house occupants asleep before owner of the house opened fire on him.

Local residents have expressed mixed reactions following the incident.

Angelina Amou, a resident of Aweil, said the house owner was acting in self-defense.

“He was defending his properties and that is not a coincidence,” said Amou.

Amou argued that security forces are not doing enough to protect residents and their properties.

“There is nothing much the police are doing and that is why the man took the law into his own hands to do away with him (thief). Secondly, I appeal to the parents of the deceased to hear from the high court when the investigations are complete,” said Amou.

Incidents of theft and looting by gangs have recently spiked in Aweil town.