The suspects were picked up in the areas of Pece Cubu, Layibi Center, and Aywe all in Pece-Laroo Division which has had a series of housebreaking cases reported in the past months.
Security personnel in Gulu City arrested a total of 380 individuals over the weekend during a major crackdown on suspected housebreakers. The impromptu operation, which was conducted jointly by the army and police, was a response to the growing number of burglary cases, particularly in the Pece-Laroo Division.
Peter Banya, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Pece-Laroo Division, stated that the majority of the suspects were arrested during the early hours of the night over the weekend. The suspects were picked up in
the areas of Pece Cubu, Layibi Center, and Aywe all in Pece-Laroo Division
which has had a series of housebreaking cases reported in the past months.
Banya says the operation aims to
apprehend the key culprits behind the increasing house break-ins and other
crimes within the city as the festive season nears.
//Cue in: “On Saturday we…
Cue out:…in Gulu East.”//
The suspects are currently being
detained at Gulu Central Police Station and Gulu East Division Police Station where
some 10 hardcore criminals have already been identified. By Press time, over 200 suspects
were still in detention after screening while the rest had been released.
Meanwhile, the Police in Gulu
City have opened an investigation into the suspected death by suicide of a 57-year-old
businessman. The lifeless body of Walter Oloya
was found Monday morning in Vanguard Cell, Pece-Laroo Division. It is suspected
that he committed suicide.
The deceased owned lock-up shops
at Gulu Main Market and Gulu Main Bus Park all dealing in groceries. Banya says the deceased body was found
hanging on a noose at his rented home.
Banya says while there isn’t clear
information on what could have led to the deceased actions, preliminary reports
indicate he had a wrangle with his children over his businesses. According to Banya, the deceased had
lately been involved in heavy alcohol drinking that prompted his children to take
management of the businesses.
“The police have taken the deceased
body to Gulu Hospital Mortuary for postmortem. An investigation is already
ongoing to ascertain the motive of suicide,” he said. He also noted that police
detectives have taken statements from the deceased relatives to help build on
the investigation.
Patrick Omaya, the Chairperson of
Gulu Market Vendors says the deceased had had a mental problem and was no
longer in active business ever since his children took over the business three
years ago.
Bureau Chief, West Acholi
