The police in Nimule, a border town in Eastern Equatoria State, have arrested two drivers suspected of being involved in a fatal road accident along the Juba–Nimule highway. The accident resulted in the death of a pedestrian. Lieutenant Colonel David Khasmiro, a police inspector in Nimule, confirmed that the two drivers are in police custody and under investigation. The arrests were made after a vehicle belonging to a clearing and forwarding company found a dead body on the road and reported it to a security checkpoint.
According to Lt. Col. Khasmiro, the driver of the vehicle that found the dead body was arrested on suspicion of knocking the person, but he denied it. Security personnel then started arresting drivers who passed the spot soon after the accident. Several truck drivers were detained, but it was difficult to determine which vehicle was responsible for the accident. As a result, the drivers of two vehicles, a small car and a truck, were taken into custody on suspicion of causing the fatal accident.
The arrests have raised concerns about road safety along the busy highway, a major transport corridor linking South Sudan with neighbouring Uganda. The highway is frequently used by heavy trucks, commercial vehicles, and passenger transport, which share the road with local communities. Second Lieutenant Ochaya James, a police investigator in Magwi County, confirmed the incident and said he had received information about a truck allegedly involved in a fatal accident in Nimule.
Lt. James stated that the truck tried to rush to Juba and, on its way, knocked another man dead in Jokoki Village. The matter is being investigated in Ayii. The precise relationship between the reported incidents, the identities of the deceased, and the circumstances leading to the arrests remain subject to police investigation. The police are working to establish the facts surrounding the accident and determine the level of responsibility of the drivers involved.
Ohide Gabriel, an activist working with the Women Initiative for Humanitarian Development Organization (WIHDO), condemned the reported accidents and called on law enforcement authorities to ensure accountability. He urged drivers to exercise caution, particularly along busy roads where pedestrians, farmers, residents, and other road users frequently cross or travel alongside vehicles.
Gabriel's comments highlight the need for increased awareness and action to improve road safety in the region. The reported deaths have renewed concerns about pedestrian safety along one of South Sudan's busiest highways. The incident has sparked a renewed call for thorough investigations and appropriate legal action against anyone found responsible.
The police investigation is ongoing, and the two drivers are currently in custody. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for drivers to be vigilant and cautious when using the highway. The authorities have assured the public that they will take all necessary steps to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Key points
- Two drivers arrested over fatal accident along Juba–Nimule highway in South Sudan
- Police investigation ongoing to establish circumstances surrounding the death of a pedestrian
- Incident renews concerns about pedestrian safety along one of South Sudan's busiest highways
