[Juba, South Sudan, TCT] – Gunmen on Monday evening robbed a South Sudanese Catholic priest identified as Father Pitia of St. Thomas Parish, Mangalla, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba and took his Land Cruiser at the gunpoint.
[Juba, South Sudan, TCT] – Gunmen on Monday evening robbed a South Sudanese Catholic priest identified as Father Pitia of St. Thomas Parish, Mangalla, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba and took his Land Cruiser at the gunpoint.
According to Catholic Archdiocesan Secretary General Fr. Samuel Abe Joseph, the priest was attacked at 8:30 pm local time when he was returning from Rajaf, as he entered the compound of St Kizito Church in Munuki.
Fr. Abe said that one of the robbers was holding a gun. He added that the robbers drove down to Suk Libya after the incident.
‘’The robbers were seen driving toward Suk Libya block C toward Mia Saba (107), a suburb of Juba. From there we don’t know whether they will keep the car within the town or they have taken it out,’’ Fr. Abe explained.
The Secretary General noted that they have reported the case to the police for further investigation for possible trace.
“We hope that the police will do their best to trace the car and to locate exactly where this car has been taken to. All in all, we are still following it up. So far, we have not received any information from reliable sources,” he said.
Father Abe said losing the vehicle will affect the pastoral activities in the parish because it may not be easy for the diocese to get another car due to the financial constraints.
For his part, Police Spokesperson Justin Daniel confirmed that they have received information regarding the incident and passed it on to the night patrol team.
“We have instructed our night patrolling team to search for the car with its registered number plate with the help of church written address and logo on the vehicle,’’ Daniel noted.
He urges the diocese to work closely with the authorities on the case.
“I need the diocese to cooperate with the police since we have already informed the department of theft to follow the matter,” the spokesman said.
The Catholic Diocese has urged well-wishers to assist the parish and the police in tracing the car because getting back the car will ease the pastoral activities.
In a similar incident last June, a Land Cruiser belonging to the Catholic Church was robbed at gunpoint at Gurei residential area.
ENDS
