(JUBA) – A number of young men recently arrested in Juba during a security operation targeting suspected criminal gangs have allegedly been transferred to the Nasir frontline in Upper Nile State, according to unconfirmed reports circulating on social media and among local residents.
The claims emerged days after police and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) carried out joint operations across several neighbourhoods in the capital, including Sherikat, Gudele, Nyakuron and New Site. These areas have been identified by security officials as hotspots for criminal activity. Witnesses say that hundreds of youths were arrested during night time raids, many without prior warning or formal charges.
The latest wave of detentions came in the wake of a widely condemned rape case involving a young girl in the Shirikat residential area of Juba city. On Friday, Acting Minister of Information and Communication, Hon. Jacob Aligo Lo-Lado, told reporters in Central Equatoria that the Council of Ministers has strongly condemned the crime. He added that police operations are ongoing across Juba, targeting suspected youth gangs thought to be linked to the attack.
While the government has yet to officially confirm the fate or location of those detained, multiple sources suggest that some of them have been transported to the frontline in Nasir, a town in Upper Nile State currently witnessing clashes between government troops and armed opposition forces.
The region has seen a resurgence in violence in recent months, with reports of heavy casualties among soldiers and continued instability.
The possibility that arrested individuals are being sent to active combat zones has raised serious concerns among families of the detainees, civil society organisations, and human rights advocates.
Relatives have reported receiving no information about the whereabouts of their loved ones and have called on authorities to provide a transparent update.
As of this publication, no official response has been issued by the police, SSPDF or government spokespersons. The lack of public communication has fuelled further speculation.
A civil society member, who asked not to be named due to security concerns, told Jakony.com®:
“If true, this would represent a serious violation of legal and human rights. Citizens cannot be arrested without due process and sent to the battlefield against their will.”
South Sudanese law does not permit the forced deployment of civilians or non military detainees into combat roles without legal and procedural frameworks, and any such action would likely breach international humanitarian standards.
Hon. Aligo stated that several individuals were in custody as part of the ongoing investigations.
“Those found innocent will be released, while those guilty will face prosecution under the law,” he said. His comments were made following growing pressure on authorities to address rising insecurity in Juba’s residential areas.
The Nasir area remains one of the most volatile conflict zones in the country, with several factions active in the area. Military analysts say recent operations in the region have stretched government resources, making reports of unofficial recruitment all the more alarming.
There has been no estimate of the number of detainees allegedly sent to Nasir, nor any confirmation of whether they were formally conscripted into the SSPDF, forced into service or deployed in another capacity.
Some critics have suggested that unverified practices such as forced deployments may be used to cut costs or fill manpower gaps.
Families and local leaders are continuing to call for an urgent investigation into the allegations.
