South Sudan artists union praise police crackdown on criminal gangs

The South Sudan Artists Union has praised the South Sudan National Police Services over the
ongoing crackdown on criminal gangs whose criminal activities have instilled wide spread fear
within the public in Juba.
Nyambura Kenyi, the Secretary General for the South Sudan Artists Union said on Saturday that
they appreciate the Inspector General of Police, Atem Marol Biar for having declared war on
criminal gang members commonly known as niggers.
“There are artists who have dreadlocks but they should present their identity when caught
during the crackdown, it is not affecting any artist, we ask our own artists to remain vigilant on
issues of law,” Kenyi told The Juba Echo in an interview at Nyakuron Cultural Center in Juba.
Kenyi urged artists to respect the law enforcement agencies deployed to provide protection
around town, adding that criminal gangs have presence across all residential areas in Juba.
“We have a database of 557 artists who have registered since last year, we are working to
ensure that all our artists respect themselves and also respect the law enforcement agencies
deployed around,” he said.

South Sudan National Police Services in an effort to combat crimes and dismantle criminal
gangs last week detained dozens of suspects including musicians who were found with
dreadlocks in Juba.
Maj.Gen Daniel Justin Buolo, Spokesman for South Sudan National Police Services said that the
crackdown on criminal gangs has led to the arrest of several suspects.
The criminal gangs being targeted by police are known to waylay their victims at night and rob
them of their cash and possessions. They are also involved in housebreak ins, robbery, rape,
burglary and phone snatching.