Police in Kotido District have arrested 25 armed criminal suspects recovering 2 guns and 34 rounds of ammunitions following an intelligence-led joint security forces operation in the areas of Nakabale and Lokorok trading centers-Kotido District.
According to the Acting MT. Moroto Police PRO, AIP Longole Mike, the suspects are armed cattle rustlers who were planning an end of year raid on cattles in Kaabong District.
“On 29 Dec 2022, at around 1530Hrs, we conducted a succesful joint security forces operation and as a result, fruitful recoveries and arrests were made.”AIP Longole noted in a statement.
Adding that, “At Lokorok trading center, one prime male adult suspect by the name of Kokoi Limakori was arrested. Two guns, 34 rounds of ammunition, 4 pairs of military fatigue, and 1 pair of jungle boots were recovered from his house.”
The recovered guns include an SMG Reg number UG 1817(boltcarrier ) with 24 rounds of ammunitions and an SMG No 04421(bolt carrier) with 10 rounds of ammunitions.
The joint security forces further conducted a search at Nakabale trading center and arrested 24 other suspects in connection to the criminal gang.
24 suspects were taken to 405 Brigade Army headquarters in Kotido District for further investigations, while one who got minor injuries during a scuffle, was taken to Kotido Health centre for treatment.
The Police Crime Report 2021 indicate that a total of 13 cases of cattle rustling were registered. The rustling took place in the Districts of Kaabong with 9 cases, 3 in Amudat and 1 in Kitgum.
The report also shows that a total of 136 criminal gang members were arrested and charged to Court, 2 were killed in action.10 guns, 21 Improvised Explosive Devices recovered.
The 2021 Annual Police Crime Report further shows that 13 criminal syndicates mainly operating in the areas of Kampala Metropolitan, Mityana, Kiboga, Mbarara and Fort Portal were identified and disbanded. Before these criminal syndicates were disbanded, they had killed 11 people including 4 Police Officers.
