Security in Kotido District has arrested a man suspected to be connected to an illegal firearm allegedly hidden within a village in Maaru Sub-county.
The suspect, Nayiang Alemukori Dokito, a resident of Nakongchua Village, was arrested during a joint security operation involving police, UPDF and district leaders.
According to police, the operation followed reports from local residents claiming that a family in Maaru Sub-county was keeping an illegal gun.
The Karamoja Region Police Spokesperson, IP Mike Longole, said the operation was intelligence-led.
“We received information from locals that a family in Maaru was in possession of an illegal gun. A cordon and search was conducted but the firearm was not found,”
Longole said.
He added that security, led by the Kotido RDC, proceeded to impound 40 cows from the village as part of the pressure to compel the suspects to surrender the weapon.
“The pressure mounted, and the illegal gun was eventually surrendered. Nayiang Alemukori Dokito was arrested and is now in police custody. His arrest will assist in further investigations,”
Longole explained.
Police also confirmed that the impounded cattle were later returned to their rightful owners.
“The animals have since been handed back to the legitimate owners,”
Longole said.
Police say investigations into the origin of the weapon and possible accomplices are ongoing.