“It was just that the roads were closed because the new currency was being moved in. then a certain guy came driving, but he could not adhere to that regulation. He was stopped, but he insisted. Then he came out with a pistol, trying to shoot the police. So shooting broke out and he was shot, injured and is now in the hospital, but the intention whether he wanted to pass [or to robe] was not clear,” – IGP Acuil Tito Madut
MABIOR PHILIP MACH
The police on Thursday afternoon exchanged fire with an army officer who wanted to force his way into the area around the Central Bank as South Sudan’s first currency notes were being ferried into the bank, following the independence day celebrations.
The Inspector General of Police, Acuil Tito Madut, told New Times that the army officer, a major in the SPLA, pulled out a pistol in an attempt to intimidate the police. Acuil said it was not clear as to whether the army officer just wanted to cross, adding that they are investigating the intent.
“He was stopped but he insisted. Then he came out with a pistol, trying to shoot the police,” Acuil said. “So shooting broke out and was shot, injured and is now in the hospital. He is a major in the SPLA, from the army but I am not told that there was intention to robe.”
Acuil said “there was a checkpoint and he never adhered to it.”
The police was guarding the central bank and restricted driving and walking on the roads passing nearby. “We were restricting movement because the currency was being moved in and the road was blocked not to allow people to move on temporary basis. That was for a limited time.”
However, the other details are being investigated, according to Acuil.
