Juba, South Sudan
October 7,2021— A senior opposition officer of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) under the FVP Dr. Riek Machar Teny has been arrested by national security.
The general, who was identified as Col. Luka Gatgoal Rial, was kidnapped yesterday at his residence in UNMISS camp and was later seen being smuggled into the infamous Blue House, the headquarters of the National Security Service in the capital, Juba.
Speaking to Nyamilepedia from Juba, one of the opposition members who requested to speak on the condition of anonymity told our editorial team that the arrest of the opposition commander was ordered by the Unity State government under Governor Dr. Joseph Manytuil Wejang.
“Senior SPLM_IO military commander Luka Gatgoal Riak was kidnapped yesterday by Unity Government at 7:00am in juba(poc)”, Said opposition member who requested not to be identified.
“Commander Luka was taken at his house by people in miltary uniforms believed to be connected to Unity State government.” The reliable source further added.
His family appeals to the top principals in the government in the person of the FVP Dr. Riek Machar Teny and President Salva Kiir to intervene and make sure that Col. Luka Gatgoal is released.
He stressed that Col. Luka did nothing wrong but was envied because of being loyal to the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar.
” We are requesting the Unity government, Salva kirr and Dr Riek to release our son, he wrong no one but targeted just because he is an IO officer”,he added.
According to the official, it is not the first time for the SPLM/A-IO members from Koch County to experience arbitrarily arrests , two months ago, the SPLM-IO former commissioner of Koch County, Nhial Bakham was kidnapped and thrown behind bars without any reason apart from being member of the SPLM/A-IO under the leadership of FVP Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
