Nurse and volunteer arrested in Oyam for alleged government drug theft

1 May 2025, 6:54 pm

By Eman Yonah Oruk

Police in Oyam district have arrested an enrolled nurse employed at Ngai Health Centre III, along with a volunteer at the facility, on charges of stealing government drugs.

The suspects, George Okeng, an enrolled nurse responsible for managing the store at Ngai Health Centre III, and Ambrose Ameny, a volunteer at the facility, were arrested on Thursday evening.

The incident came to light when a staff member at the facility alerted local leaders about Okeng loading medical drugs and transporting them to an unknown location.

As a result, local leaders and the police searched Okeng’s bags and discovered boxes of assorted pharmaceutical drugs allegedly in his illegal possession.

Water Ato, the LC5 councillor for Ngai subcounty, confirmed that Okeng was intercepted at Ngai trading centre with government drugs, including Coartem, Amoxicillin capsules, Panadol, gloves, and malaria test kits, all packed in four Sophia bags.

Ato confirmed that the suspect was subsequently handed over to the police for further investigation.

Hendry Atocon, the Officer in Charge (OC) of Ngai Police Station, confirmed the arrest of both Okeng and his alleged accomplice for unlawful possession of government property.

Shilaku James, the Oyam Resident District Commissioner, stated that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the alleged theft and determine how the drugs were accessed and removed from the facility.

He also urged the public to actively cooperate in combating the rampant theft of government medicines.