One arrested, five Ugandans on the run for faking kidnap in South Sudan

Lamwo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Security authorities in Lamwo district have apprehended a man accused of orchestrating a fake kidnap and demanding a ransom of more than sh800,000. Lampard Tabu was arrested from Gai Village, Paloga Sub County on Monday following a joint operation by the local intelligence network with support from the community members.

Tabu, in collaboration with five other Ugandans who remain at large, had spent the past four days demanding ransoms of over Shillings 800,000 from several people. They claimed these funds were required by their purported South Sudanese captors for their release.

According to a security report, the six suspects informed local council chairpersons and Members of Parliament, that they had traveled to South Sudan for commercial farming between August and September of this year and were abducted by suspected South Sudan rebels in Magwi County.

Geoffrey Osborn Oceng, the Lamwo Resident District Commissioner, disclosed that four days ago, they received distressing calls from the suspects, claiming to be abductees, demanding ransoms. He stated that in cooperation with their South Sudanese security counterparts, Ugandan security took immediate action to verify the situation and rescue the individuals.

However, they subsequently discovered that the entire incident had been staged.

Osborn further explained that, after thorough investigation and collaboration with community members, the security forces managed to apprehend Tabu, who is believed to be the ringleader of the group, while the other suspects are still at large.

Tabu is locked up at Ngom-oromo UPDF Barracks as the investigation continues. Preliminary findings suggest that the suspects had orchestrated this deception to extort money from local leaders for personal gain.

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