SSPDF Arrests Eight Suspected Child Traffickers in Juba

By Simon Deng

The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) have arrested eight suspects allegedly linked to a child trafficking and abduction network operating in Juba, according to military spokesperson Maj-Gen. Lul Ruai Koang.

Koang stated that the arrests followed surveillance operations and intelligence gathering that led military operatives to several suspected hideouts in the capital.

He reported that the SSPDF unearthed a criminal network, leading to the arrest and detention of eight individuals involved in child trafficking and abduction.

“After thorough surveillance based on gathered actionable intelligence, operatives from Military Operations stormed different hideouts, netting, arresting, and detaining a total of eight prime suspects,” Koang said at a press conference on Saturday.

The surveillance operation, which led to the arrest and detention of these eight suspected individuals committing heinous crimes against humanity, was conducted by Col. Valentino Yel and other personnel from Combat Military Intelligence Operations, specifically the Surveillance department.

Koang revealed that secret military intelligence operatives of the SSPDF unearthed the network of criminals involved in the abduction, kidnapping, and selling of children.

“A team of professional personnel from SSPDF’s Combat Military Intelligence Operations, Department of Surveillance, made a major breakthrough following constant surveillance on a network of criminals operating in the Suk Darfur residential area northeast of Juba town.”

“In the last three years, residents of the aforementioned area had reported to police and later to the SSPDF a total of twenty-three (23) children who went missing under mysterious circumstances.”

Koang said the suspects include three SSPDF deserters and two civilians. Among the civilians are a juvenile who lured children with sweets and an elderly woman who accommodated some of the abducted children.

Koang disclosed that once children are successfully lured, they are forcefully accommodated in clandestine houses, and potential buyers are sourced, mostly from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).

“A baby girl fetches SSP15,000,000, equivalent to $1,700 USD, whereas a boy goes for SSP9,000,000, equivalent to $1,100 USD, in Juba. The price tag drastically shifts in Pibor and surrounding areas like Gumuruk. A boy goes for between 45 to 50 cows, whereas a girl fetches 30 to 45 cows.”

Koang revealed that a woman in possession of an abducted child was arrested and detained in Gumuruk, adding that three civilians in possession of seven (7) abducted children evaded arrest and are still at large.

Koang also stated that some criminals, mostly from Northern Bahr El Ghazal State, lured and abducted children, kept them in designated houses, posed as their owners, and carried out the actual selling of the captives.

“One boy, who was abducted 20 days ago, was successfully repatriated from GPAA and reunited with his parents. Eight (8) children have been traced but are yet to be repatriated to Juba to reunite with their loved ones.”

“The abducted 23 children come from various ethnic groups residing in Juba. Members of the public are hereby requested to be vigilant and cooperate with security forces in identifying and reporting hideouts of criminals in residential areas.”