By Mike Rwothomio
At least seven gangbangers from different parts of Arua city have surrendered to Authorities , and “vowed” to desist from terrorizing the city with over 300,000 people.
This news compounds to the security’s continuous intervention to pacify the city, that has been plagued by numerous illicit activities of some criminal maniacs.
The West Nile regional Police Spokesperson SP Collins Asea, in January 29, 2025 statement identified Some of the voluntarily surrended ruffians as Ali Tororo, Chicka AkA Ali baba, Lojugo, Oscar Boniface, , Angina Roy and Bashir, AkA Rambo leader of Tito Tonki .
” The Police in west Nile region, office of resident city commissioner ,in partnership with the community, have been actively engaging with individuals involved in criminal activities in a bid to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society. Since last year, we have initiated dialogue with several known criminal gangs, urging them to abandon their unlawful activities within the city , surrounding areas and west Nile region” Asea’s statement reads in part.
The move was orchestrated by Arua resident city commissioner’s office in collaboration with the concerned community members, who were directly engaging the predatory individuals, according to police.
Asea noted that the surrendered gangs ” have demonstrated willingness to cooperate, and we are pleased to report a noticeable decline in incidents such as phone and bag snatching on the streets, among other crimes”
Police have encouraged other individuals engaged in savaged activities “to come forward and embrace a path of positive change”.
Security in Arua city, all-year round engage in different operations to clean the City of notorious maniac criminals exacerbating insecurity through thefts, robberies, breakings, burglaries, and other offenses, but the vice persists.
Local leaders and stakeholders have been urged to incorporate them into life-changing ventures such as vocational skills and productive activities, to empower them into valuable citizens.
Police encouraged community to welcome and avoid harassment of the “refrained individuals” , calling for vigilance and reporting of any signs of their return to criminal behavior.
Authorities have called for mindset amongst the pardoned individuals, threatening that ” It is important to note that their files remain open, and any breach of the law will result in the reactivation of their charges”
Authorities have encouraged intensified meaningful reconciliation between the pardoned gangsters , and the community they wronged to foster unity.
But the town dwellers have been recurrently tearing through authorities’s reported act of early release of these suspects, thus springboarding the vice in the city.
