SPLA-IO soldier steals phones, cash from community member in Leer County
This marks the second reported incident in which SPLA-IO soldiers have been accused of robbing civilians in the area
By Yien Gattuor
In a troubling turn of events in Leer County, Unity State, an opposition soldier is being accused of turning weapons against a community member and stealing valuables.
On Friday, police in Leer arrested an officer of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) after he allegedly robbed a community member at gunpoint, stealing five mobile phones and 100,000 South Sudanese pounds. The suspect, apprehended in Adok Payam, is now under military detention following a preliminary investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department.
“There were two criminals,” said Brigadier Tor Thor, Director General of Police in Leer County. “One escaped, but the one we caught had two guns. He put them down when he realised police had him cornered.”
This marks the second reported incident in which SPLA-IO soldiers have been accused of robbing civilians in the area. It is a sign of deeper concerns brewing beneath the surface, concerns that raise fundamental questions about security, accountability, and the use of force.
The SPLA-IO Sector Two spokesperson, Yai Pazale, said he had not yet received a report on the incident and could not comment at the time.
Meanwhile, civil society voices are growing louder. Riek Koang, a local activist and coordinator of the Street Children Care Initiative Organization, condemned the incident.
“Military personnel should not turn their power on civilians. Unfortunately, some soldiers are involved in criminal activities,” Koang said. “Even the suspects behind the killing of the sub-chief of Kaigai Payam were discovered to be from the SPLA-IO.”
While Koang acknowledged that these crimes may be the actions of individuals and not a coordinated effort by military leadership, he called on commanders to take responsibility.
“The commander may not be aware, but he must act. He should meet with his personnel to identify and isolate the wrongdoers. The key to reducing crime among armed personnel is to unify them and deploy them in a more disciplined and controlled manner.”
For communities in Leer and beyond, incidents like these deepen a growing crisis of trust. The presence of armed forces is meant to provide safety, especially in regions still healing from years of conflict. But when uniforms mask criminal intent, civilians are left feeling more vulnerable than ever.
Peace and stability are built not just through agreements on paper, but through trust on the ground. That trust is eroded when soldiers become threats rather than protectors.
As investigations continue, residents of Leer County wait, not just for justice in this case, but for assurance that forces will indeed protect them.
