By Mike Rwothomio
Police in Arua have successfully foiled a robbery attempt by suspected criminal maniacs at Onzivu village, Kuluva Parish, Vurra Sub-County, Arua district on October 25, 2024.
Police said During the wee hours operation, two suspects identified as Andama Musema, 39, a bodaboda rider from Pajuru Zova Village, Ayivu West and Muzamiru Aryongi, 40, a resident of Manibe Cell, Ayivu East, Arua City, were arrested respectively at the scene, whilst the third suspect remains unidentified, and investigations are ongoing under CRB 231/2024.
Police force on night patrols responded to the robbery incident , upon receiving reports of some suspected armed robbers who were already onboard, offloading goods from two trailers transporting cement from Kampala to Arua city.
The West Nile Region Acting Police Spokesperson SP Asea Collins
said, one unidentified suspect succumbed to the injuries sustained from stray bullets as they were confronting them.
” Officers responding to the scene found the suspects forcefully unloading goods from the trailers and were reportedly armed. In the line of duty to prevent the robbery, police officers fired warning shots to stop the suspects. During the confrontation, one unidentified individual sustained injuries from a stray bullet and later succumbed to these injuries” Asea said
Asea added ” During the operation, 11 bags of cement and a large water tank were recovered and relevant evidence, including motorcycles reportedly used in the transportation of stolen items, was recovered and secured at Arua District”
Asea also noted that, Statements from the driver and additional witnesses are being collected to aid in the investigation.
He assured that ” Uganda Police force is committed to ensuring the safety and security of the community and encourages any individuals with relevant information to come forward and assist in this investigation”
The incident is serving as a good music to the ears of many traders, truck drivers and passengers who bear the brunt of a new wave of highway robberies along Arua-Nebbi Highway.
In September this year , security earmarked places between Bondo and Odianyadri Trading centers as hotbeds of high-way robberies.
Most traders then blamed the incident on pothole-riddled Nebbi-Arua road that slow down movement of buses and trucks.
