Police arrest 13 suspected criminal gang members in Acholibur

8 July 2025, 7:37 pm

By Otim Moses

Police in Pader District have arrested 13 suspected members of the notorious criminal gang known as “Aguu” during an intelligence-led operation in Acholibur Town Council. The gang, largely composed of youths, has been terrorising residents through acts of robbery, rape, assault, and theft.

According to the territorial police in Pader District, the operation followed an incident on the night of 8th June 2025, when approximately eight gang members broke into the business premises of Tolit Francis and stole property including a television set, a generator, and seven million shillings in cash.

Reports indicate that the gang had effectively turned Acholibur into a no-go zone each evening, lying in wait to ambush residents, stealing food from kitchens, and openly smoking marijuana.

Police further revealed that the group has associates in Kitgum, Pajule, Byeyale, Lamwo, Lira, and even across the border in South Sudan.

The arrests were made on Saturday following a joint security meeting between the police and other security agencies to devise strategies for restoring security in the area. Police confirmed that eight of the suspects are directly linked to the break-in at Tolit Francis’s business, while the others are connected to various other criminal cases.

The suspects are currently in custody and will be brought before court as investigations continue.