18 arrested as security contains fight between street gangs, vigilantes
What you need to know:
- In an earlier interview with this reporter, Mr Okema said they were not aware of the formation of the vigilantes adding that security agencies were never consulted before their forma.
GULU. A joint security force comprising of police and the army Thursday evening fired live bullets to break a fight between a group of street gangs and community vigilantes in Gulu Municipality.
The machete-wielding street gangs numbering more than 100 reportedly clad in jackets reportedly stormed industrial area in Layibi Division at about 7pm for a revenge mission against a vigilante group mobilized to man security in the area.
They reportedly mobilized from the four divisions within Gulu Municipality.
The vigilante group had been mobilized about two months ago by the Local Council One Chairperson for Industrial area, Mr Jino Otti following and increased criminal activities in his area.
However, the group had reportedly become brutal against the street gangs prompting them to retaliate on
Thursday.
Mr Robert Komakech, a resident of Industrial area told this reporter on Friday that chaos ensued at about 7pm when the goons stormed the area looking for Mr Otti who had mobilized the vigilantes.
He said the goons went on rampage and started beating residents indiscriminately after failing to get Otti and his vigilantes.
Mr Komakech blamed the area chairperson for forming a vigilante group without the approval of police or any other security agency adding that most of them were also former criminals who could have taken their new roles to connive with thugs.
The Gulu Resident District Commissioner Maj Santos Okot Lapolo said the army and police were called in to contain the fight.
“We responded because we got reports that street gangs had invaded Industrial area and were beating up people. It is true gunshots were fired but I am not sure whether it’s the army or police who fired,” he
said.
Mr Jimmy Patrick Okema, the Aswa River Region Police Spokesperson said security personnel swung in action and arrested 18 people.
“It’s true some organized street goons tried to disorganize the community members in Cerelenu and Cuk pa Oweka. Police moved in and apprehended 18 of them and are in custody,” Mr Okema said.
He said they recovered machetes, iron bars and sticks from the suspects adding that they will be used as exhibits to prosecute them in the courts of law.
Police not aware of vigilantes
In an earlier interview with this reporter, Mr Okema said they were not aware of the formation of the vigilantes adding that security agencies were never consulted before their forma.
“We are not aware of the formation of this group of community watchmen in Industrial area. The initiative is good but this has to be streamlined with approval of the security agencies in the Municipality,” Mr Okema said.
The police said they will now investigate how the chairperson mobilized the vigilantes minus their knowledge.
Gulu Municipality has seen an increase in the number of street gangs recently leading to upsurge of crimes.
Most of the gang members grew up on the streets of Gulu Municipality as street children. Jjust last week, a boda boda motorcyclist was hacked to death from his home in Layibi division by suspected thugs armed with a gun and machetes.
