Gen. Warikozi Speaks Out After Surviving Armed Attack in Gudele

(JUBA) – Major General Stephen Warikozi, a senior figure in South Sudan’s police and a former Director of Research and Planning in the Ministry of Interior, has spoken out following a violent armed raid on his home in Juba’s Gudele 2 suburb. The attack, which took place late Sunday night, left him, his daughter and his brother injured from gunfire.

Speaking to media on Tuesday, General Warikozi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, warning that even those tasked with ensuring national security are not safe from violence. He stressed that every citizen, regardless of status, deserves equal protection.

According to Warikozi, five armed men broke into his house at night and assaulted him and his family. He said the attack is part of a worrying pattern of insecurity affecting ordinary people across the country.

“I am very sad because these things are not just happening to me but to many other South Sudanese or residents in this country,” he said. “It is our duty, our prerogative to protect everyone, not just the rich or powerful, but every person, whether poor or unknown.”

He urged national leaders and security officials to take responsibility for the safety of all citizens. He confirmed that the incident was now under investigation, with a case opened at the nearby Gudela Kubri Haboba police station, close to the Zain telecommunications tower.

Warikozi, who has served the country in multiple capacities—ranging from civil aviation to academia, including teaching at the University of Juba and the Police College, as well as serving as a religious leader—said the attack reflects a broader issue of weak public security that must be addressed urgently.

He further called for greater police engagement with communities through existing grassroots initiatives. In particular, he highlighted the importance of Police Community Relations Committees (PCRC), which were established to support police efforts by sharing local intelligence.

“Police need to be well connected and cooperative with what we have established across the country, what we call PCRC,” he explained. “These committees are already set up in various areas and divided into zones. Their main objective is to support the police by providing vital information about any suspicious activities in the area.”

General Warikozi’s call comes at a time when the South Sudan National Police Service is working to restore public trust and clamp down on organised crime, particularly in urban areas like Juba.