LRA Rebel Captives Return To Gulu Town

By Justin Moro EIGHT people abducted by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) rebels from Pece-Pawel in Gulu Municipality on Friday have escaped from the rebels. Mr. John Okello Winyo, the area LC1 chairman, told The New Vision on Saturday that all the eight had returned home. LRA rebels on Friday night raided Pece-Pawel and looted some shops and burnt a vehicle. Okello said the rebels abducted the eight people to carry their loot. The rebels also raided areas around Gulu African Quarters and the local government prisons before retreating towards Ato Hill through Pageya. Meanwhile, security along the major roads in Gulu, Kitgum and Pader districts has been beefed up with the deployment of more UPDF and local defence units. The increased deployment followed security reports that the LRA were planning to ambush vehicles travelling on the roads during the school holiday to abduct students to be recruited into their ranks. "We are not taking chances. We are doing everything possible to protect travellers along our roads. The LRA rebels are desperate and can cause havoc and harm our people," a security source said at Acholi Bar in Pader district. Edward Ochan, the Pajule LC3 chairman, said the increased UPDF deployment followed increased rebel ambushes. Ends