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Sudan Tribune

Plural news and views on Sudan

Gunmen rob bank in Unity State

By Bonifacio Taban Kuich

April 4, 2011 (BENTIU) – A group of burglars on Sunday broke into Ivory Bank’s branch in the Unity State’s capital Bentiu and stole more than a million Sudanese pounds, in the second case of bank robbery in south Sudan this week.

Soldiers of South Sudan Army (FILE PHOTO)
Soldiers of South Sudan Army (FILE PHOTO)
Guards at Ivory Bank told investigators on Monday that the 15-member gang members surrounded the bank around 2:00 am local time and strapped the them to an electricity pole before blindfolding them at gun point.

An investigation carried out the next day by the state security legal department had concluded that the stolen amount stands at 1.12 million Sudanese pounds (428.953.06 US dollars).

The burglars are said to have exchanged heavy gunfire with a group of security men who spotted them on the road of Bentiu secondary school and opposite to the assembly office of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, the ruling party in south Sudan.

Gideon Gatpan Thaor, the official Spokesman of the Unity State government, suggested that suspicion is revolving around “army groups”, adding that those involved in this criminal act would be brought to justice. However, he noted that there was yet no official report from security forces on the origin of the gang.

Security officials promised to hunt down the burglars and reach their hideouts, saying that a satisfactory report would be submitted soon as possible.

Sources told Sudan Tribune that three policemen hired by the bank to protect the bank are now under arrest on suspicion of being involved in the robbery. One of the relatives of the arrested policemen, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Sudan Tribune that security authorities had ignored earlier reports on active armed groups and were now trying to put the blame on innocent policemen.

A day before on Saturday a group of burglars broke into the premises of the Sudanese Agricultural Bank in Juba and stole 1,628,450 Sudanese pounds in addition to 1,300 US dollars, as reported by South Sudan radio.

South Sudan has been hit by a wave of insecurity and army defections since it voted to secede from the north in a referendum held in January. The region is due to declare official independence when the peace deal it signed with the north to end more than two decades of civil wars expires in July.

(ST)

30 Comments

  • dotcom
    dotcom

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    THIS IS MY SECOND MESSAGE!

    It has come to my attention that some of you guys go far beyond the house rules, by resorting to comments that DO NOT in any way help or serve the interest of our online readers.

    This is a follow up note/warning that,
    we have now taken some tough measures to scrutinize some commentaries and delete them when deemed inappropriate to the topic of the discussion. I have also decided to delete some members with repetitive unprofessional/degrading comments (and thats why you don’t see some members you knew of). We are not in anyway limiting anyone’s freedom of speech, thats why we have given you “wonderful-years-of-anything-goes-comments” since the establishment of this website.

    Please, route for positive and productive commentary to serve the truth and plural idealism for the enjoyment/betterment of all so as to avoid being blocked from accessing these wonderful features that we at ST provided.

    I hope you understand.

    Reply
  • Fearless man
    Fearless man

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    wah Take a break buddy or put it as headline instead as a comment thanks

    back to the robberay who took maney in Bentiu those gang are riek machar boy who are trying to gat maney to support peter gatdet and Athor. but both militias will never lived under one shadow soon leave alon their claim.
    And if south really whant to gat rid of nyagatenn. they must fired riek machar so that he could decide one things either to go in the bush or go home so that he should be trial in the court of laws.

    Reply
  • Addit Tera
    Addit Tera

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    Dear fear man, not fearless man, that gang are from within.
    Riek Machar is South Sudan’s Vice President; you said they must fire Riek Machar. Salva Kiir who asks you to say that word is nincompoop and idiot leader because there is nothing that can includes his Vice to Athor Deng and Peter Gatdet.
    When Kiir rebelled against John Garang in 2004 but Riek reconciled him to Late Dr. John Garang, Kiir also connected from the foul play to John Garang`s Death.

    Thanks.
    Addit.
    [redshow]

    Reply
  • Shuillk kingdom
    Shuillk kingdom

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    Dotcom,

    Stop dumping your rubish here,if you got nothing to do then get out of this sit.
    Back to the main topic,I think GOSS should concerntrate on security issue.
    My question is;who are those gun men at the first place?who’s equiping them?this is a serious matter that requires a further investigation.
    Merci béauçoup!

    Reply
  • actiongatkuoth
    actiongatkuoth

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    oh God what the awful news?
    things that the Southerner don’t expect to happen in Unity State are happen, why Bentiu Citizen???????????
    i believe we will able to deal with such gang or athor is people,
    i think this should be the first and the last for gang .
    Bentiu Citizen must take action against gang or athor his people,
    thank.
    Bentiu is great!!!!!!!!!!1

    Reply
  • Gatbentiu
    Gatbentiu

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    Dear readers,this is organized crime the employees of Ivory Bank has to be question.There ‘re a lot of crimes and robberies in S.Sudan which goes without being reported,thanks God that there was no death reported.This is now an information to others Banks in Southern Sudan who leave the Bank unguarded.

    [email protected]

    Reply
  • Makjohnson
    Makjohnson

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    This is an initial warning to the opportunists who pretend to be rulling people of Bentiu with impunity. No compromise and still more including attacks are comming to make them realize that, people of Bentiu are not any longer scaptical to their cause and therefore, show their response in any ways to make it known to Kiir and his tribal governemnt that, their interest in Taban Deng Gai because of the Oil in Bentiu has fade up and therefore, violent attacks will continous

    Reply
  • Peter Nhiany
    Peter Nhiany

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    Mr. Fearless,

    You made a point, but I suggested that we do not make an assumption that does or will not make fruitful ending. How do you know that those armed gangs are connected with Vice President Raik and the renegaded Gen, George Athor defected Gen Peter Gatdet? Why don’t we focus more on people who are not in our government rather than trying to accuse our leaders for assumed connections with rebels.

    Peter Nhiany

    Reply
  • Peter Nhiany
    Peter Nhiany

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    Mr.Fearless,

    You made a point, but I suggested that we do not make an assumption that does or will not make fruitful ending. How do you know that those armed gangs are connected with Vice President Riek and the renegaded Gen, George Athor defected Gen Peter Gatdet? Why don’t we focus more on people who are not in our government rather than trying to accuse our leaders for assumed connections with rebels.

    Thank you.

    Peter Nhiany.

    Reply
  • Dhaal M. Aterdit
    Dhaal M. Aterdit

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    This is one of the most unfortunate kind of happenings in the world’s newest nation (South Sudan). Without acussing any armed and dissident groups I just need to urge that the governmnent should be very serious and security-wise. Insurgency, assisination and robbery are all challenging activiites in the security of an independent state.

    May God help uphold our country from these evil thoughts !!!!!……

    Dhaal Mapuor.

    Reply
  • harry
    harry

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    Dear Peter,

    Thank you for taking time and responding to brothers. That was nice from you. I hope you should keep it up and teach those brothers who deviated from the right path…. Now let me comment on the robbery news. I think these robberies are related to rebellions that’s taking South by storm.

    Usually, rebels rob banks and financial institutions to fund their operations. It can happen even in developed countries too.

    I’m not surprise to see these robberies taking place. The only reason I believe my gut, is that we did not witness robberies prior to these rebellions. It has just started when these people went to bush. Think about that and do the math. Thanks

    Harry

    Reply
  • Lo Isu
    Lo Isu

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    Hahahahha…….dudes endeavoring to comment sensibly.

    Are you guys surprised of late?
    Once a thief will always remain a thief.

    From stealing cattle (often disguised as cattle rustling) to stealing from banks (now disguised as gangs or robbers). Listen this is an obsession for you guys, because even your big thugs in the gov’t robbed Nile Commercial Bank clean. If you doubt this the justification was depicted when your blind incapable and incompetent Kiir rushed in and allocated funds meant for service delivery, to the Bank following the Banks announcement that it would publish the names of top gov’t official who borrowed and didn’t pay back. If the president can shield this open broad day light thieves what can stop him and his crew from sponsoring this said gangs, after all he is a thief himself. Let me offer proof here, Kiir provides immunity to all top gov’t officials involved in stealing, beginning with the former finance ministers.Why? This is because the later would pin point him in the event that the former prosecutes them.

    To hear any one propose methods for dealing with midnight thieves and not for the broad day light thieves is a manifestation of the hypocrisy embedded in him/her. Come one animals (since your reasoning isn’t equal to that of humans), learn to clean the inside of your house before dealing with the surrounding, because all is dirty.

    Reply
  • okucu pa lotinokwan
    okucu pa lotinokwan

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    Bad sign have started in the south Sudan government before decleration of the independent,my fear will be to those investors who want to develop this poor new country,all the community in this country are not the same,with differenent behivour.
    If militarymen starting stealing money from government Bank is a very bad sign God forgive them poverty is the causer of all these,Nuer should understand this very well,getting more money is not for free but with hard work.

    OKUCU PA LOTINOKWAN

    Reply
  • Lat Dak Nyaroah
    Lat Dak Nyaroah

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    I personally condemn what happened in Bentiu. Brothers and sisters, the bad things that are currently happening day by day in our country are happening because some few individuals entrusted by GoSS or State governments to do certain job are malfunctions. They are either reluctant because they don’t like their leader or don’t actually know what they are suppose to do.

    In regard to the incident itself, I saw a lot of ignorance and lack of competency among our police officials. Why I say so? Because when shooting started it went on for almost half an hour and no policeman/woman came from the station to rescue people. Furthermore, the attackers could been engulf for the reason that the scene was in heart of Bentiu town.

    If our government is not taking new and serious measures to crackdown such criminals before July than our lives as citizens of this great Nation will be in danger through out. I guess the attackers come from within our localities but lack of having well trained police and National Security personnel has resulted to bank robbery.

    Reply
  • harry
    harry

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    Dear LO Iso,

    Since you are smart and seem to know the secrets and facts about Mr.Salva and his Government, why don’t you take the initiative role and go ahead and sue Mr. Salva and his Government in the court of law? I mean, you got the solid evidences to proof that. Right?

    In democracy, any concern citizen can sue governments and heads of states if corruptions and malpractices detected by him/her; and I think you have detected them in Salva and his Government. So go ahead and take the initiative.

    Or, don’t waste your time writing nonsense and shallow arguments in this website. Again, as concern citizen of South Sudan, you can take Mr. Salva and his Government to court if you can proof that in the court of law.

    And please don’t try to offend the readers with your arrogance and bigotry attitudes. There are people who much smarter than you in this website. So, keep it simple and short to yourself. Thanks

    Harry,

    Reply
  • Mager Anyuon Thuc
    Mager Anyuon Thuc

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    This is what I said that we will never rules ourselves. This should be SPLA Generals that made a Stupid plan with their soldiers to do that I am sure.

    This stupid leadership of Kiir will end up in civilians death. I am sure such kinds of happenings should appear even without spending half a year in new nation.

    Idiot generals!!!

    Reply
  • Gatbentiu
    Gatbentiu

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    Fellow country men and women,my comment/question goes to the reporter/writer.why did he posted SPLA picture in the article? is he telling the world that the Bank was rob by the SPLA or what?
    As professional journalist he should stop this bulshit of posting a photo which does not relate to the article he wrote.

    [email protected]

    Reply
  • Lo Isu
    Lo Isu

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    Hahahahah……..Harry crying foul again.

    I surely expected such from you, nepotist.
    Surely every informed citizen know your hypocrisy in defending your bad leaders. The truth is facts are always bitter, so have a dose of this bitter facts.

    By the way I am even more amused that you talk of court, when even the simple minded know that we don’t yet have a just system in play. This same so called courts are led by corrupts so what is the difference.

    Don’t get scared bro. because I have hard evidence to throw you, your corrupt Salva and the likes to a den pf lions, given the right judicial procedure.
    You guys are good at double standards. You foul other and pretend to play safe.

    I can testify against all of you if the court in charge is ICC, mark me right. Corrupt opportunists.

    Reply
  • khan junior
    khan junior

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    There say which said,a thief days are forty.they will be in court by any means if only the government of the state is serous but let expert miracle not.

    Reply
  • Paul Ongee
    Paul Ongee

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    The government of, not limited to, Unity State needs to set up security forces patrolling 24/7 to guard such important government and commercial institutions otherwise.

    Reply
  • Stephen Gatloth K
    Stephen Gatloth K

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    Only to the article,Gatloth Gai in Bentiu.

    What a big confusion is emerging in South Sudan and Upper Nile in particular!!!

    No blame to any one rather than poor governce from GOSS.
    We wornder y a newly recognised government began denied its very people who were struggled for thier bottom of thier heard without doubt to the right of opportunity in job.Espacially from military departement.

    From my piont of view,this government will be another Somalia as the step occured have got no different from that in Somalia.

    The cuase root of every disorder was april 2010 election that was totally rigged by Kiir and his agents.

    To detect your mistake is in this way where people are reacted differently.some resorted into arms,some exposed the government secrets on media and some excelled and accuse the government internationally.

    See amonst these what is not happened here?Does Kiir and his agents no yet detect the collapsing of his government.Could it be new that west Africa military couple is on due here in newly independent nation.

    I believe this time south sudan,no one is responsible for any one. Agovernment with a provokative language.

    Reply
  • Bravo Nuer
    Bravo Nuer

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    sticky fingers. there is one born in every minute.

    Reply
  • ebonyebony
    ebonyebony

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    The question now is:
    Where are the leaders? Every day you hear of a crime or an officer defecting with a group of soldiers? Lack of security gentlemen cannot be ignored for a moment..where are the leaders and what are their plans to bring security back to S.South? I tell you where are they now..Pagan and the others are very busy struggling with NCP over S.Kordufan, Darfur and Khartoum..regioins that are practically now have nothing to do with S.Sudan interests.

    Reply
  • Shuillk kingdom
    Shuillk kingdom

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    Ebonyebony,

    You very stupid fellow who doesn’t know what he is talking about.
    Who said s.kordufan has nothing to do with the south intrest? Abyei is 100% south Sudan interst.
    I guess you should mind your business.

    Reply
  • ebonyebony
    ebonyebony

    Gunmen rob bank in Unity State
    who is the stupid one me or you? Is Abyei officially now part of S. Kordufan?
    Why do people call this forum free? because everyone is going to say his opinion not to insult others you and the like are dangerous for gowing of democracy in S.Sudan. As for S.Kordufan and Abyei I think you the most stupid person..does Abyei bellong to S. Kordufan?
    Does South Sudan have any interest in Darfur? Why SPLM slodeirs cannot crush people like Athor who are dangerous to the yet to be born state? because instead of empowering the Army in the South , money finds its way to Darfur rebels

    Reply
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