Two held over illegal possession of ammunition

Police in Amuria district are holding two men from Ogolai village over illegal possession of military ammunition.

Willy Okiror and Julius Okello are being detained at Apeulai Police Post after they were found six bullets.

Idi Situka, the officer-in-charge at the police post, said Okello helped Okiror to hide the bullets under a tree.

Meanwhile, another man - Julius Opio - was also arrested for allegedly torching four grass-thatched houses belonging to Peter Elaju, Simon Elagu and Benedicta Akello.

Akello, in her 80s, was in the house at the time, and she later died of burn injuries at Ococia Health Centre III, said Situka.

The DPC Amuria, Richard Erimu, told New Vision that the incident stemmed from land-related wrangles.

 "It's true we have just received the three suspects [two for the ammunition and one for the arson attack] and their files which we are going to peruse and forward them to court," Erimu said on Thursday.

Moses Egonu, the LC3 chairperson for Ogolai sub-county said the two men who had bullets were arrested after a security meeting held following the burning of the four houses.

"We went there as the sub county leadership where we held a meeting a day before the district chairperson's elections last week and the locals revealed that these people had a gun and bullets. We have got the bullets and are now looking for the said gun," said Egonu.

He added that Okiror was formerly working as a game ranger.

"He was on two occasions arrested by police for illegal possession of a grenade and army uniform.  The community is now scared of him because whenever he is arrested, he is released," said Egonu.

Magical twist

Meanwhile, the other suspect Okello, is said to have a ‘magic' coin.

Residents say that the coin has picture of an eye on one side and that of papyrus reeds on the other.

 "When the coin is thrown down, the side of the eye never lands on the underside," said a couple of residents who claimed to have witnessed that and as a result formed their own theories about such events.

After his arrest, Okello claimed that the coin had disappeared and will be back to him when he is released.