Two Jie Warriors Arrested, Fined for Livestock Theft in Agago

The Police in Agago district is holding two suspected Jie warriors for the theft of six herds of cows from Amyel village, Lapono Sub County.

The suspects only identified as Oyoo and Lotyang all residents of Nakakwa village, Rengen Sub County in Kotido district were arrested on Monday following a pursuit by the security personnel.

The Lapono Sub County Councillor, Joel Ogal says that during the theft on Christmas day, the suspects allegedly shot the herdsman on the neck using bows and arrows before making off with their loot. The herdsman is currently nursing injuries at Dr Amrozolli Hospital in Kalongo Town Council. 

Oga says the stolen animals were also recovered from Oyoo’s kraal and they are yet to be handed over to their owners.

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The Agago LCV Chairperson Leonard Ojok says they managed to cause the arrest and also recover the stolen animals through the help of the village peace committees that were instituted to curb cattle theft perpetrated by the warriors from Karamoja sub-region The committees consist of traditional leaders, local leaders, security personnel were instituted to facilitate dialogue, conduct peace training and sharing information related to cattle thefts across the border.

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Mathew Longole, a member of the committee in Rengen sub-county in Kotido district says the suspects were subjected to a fine of six cows and also handed over to the authorities to face justice.

According to Longole; during their formulation, the peace committees instituted a fine that involves making a double compensation to the number of livestock stolen as a deterrent measure to curtail cattle thefts amidst the two border communities.

According to Ojok, the livestock thieves are currently taking advantage of the porous border, the absence of enough security and laxity by livestock farmers during the festive season to carry out massive raids.

The suspects currently being held at Patongo Central Police station will be arraigned before the courts under preferred charges of livestock theft and attempted murder.