Police round up Gulu iron bar hit men

GULU.

Police in Gulu have rounded up 72 suspected iron bar hit men in an operation aimed at curbing the increasing wave of attacks.

The operation on Tuesday night follows recent attacks by iron bar wielding men in which two women were clobbered and left unconscious at night on their way back home.

Majority of the suspects were arrested at Cerelenu, Olailong, Labourline, Kasubi and Pece Vanguard parishes all in Gulu municipality.
Speaking to journalists in Gulu Town on Wednesday, Gulu District Police Commander Martin Okoyo revealed that they used a new operation tactic.

“We changed our plans of operation in a bid to corner these suspects.
We arrested 72 people who were suspiciously moving at night. However, after thorough screening, we released 31 people and now have in custody 41 suspects who we are investigating,” he said.

Mr Okoyo said they recovered a blood-hammer from one of the suspects.

“Our advice is that women should desist from moving alone at night since most of the victims from our records indicate they are the most attacked. They should be mindful of their security because police can’t be in every corner of the town,” Mr Okoyo said.

He said the suspects in custody have failed to account for why they were out at night. He added that they are preparing their files and will be arraigned in court.

Since December last year, 19 people are reported to have been clobbered by iron bar criminals within Nakasero, Tegwana and Labourline parishes in Pece Division, Gulu municipality.