By KT Reporter
Police and security agencies in Arua District and City have arrested 13 suspects linked to the murder of Acting Arua District Health Officer, Paul Bishop Drileba. Drileba was brutally hacked to death with machetes on Saturday, 23rd November, in Oyeku Village, Ombokoro Parish, Ajia Sub-County, Arua District. The attack took place around 1:00 PM as Drileba and six others were surveying his land.
Arnold Andruale, the surveyor who was with Drileba during the attack, managed to escape with injuries and is currently recovering at Arua Regional Referral Hospital. Four other individuals who were with them escaped unharmed.
Following Drileba’s burial on Wednesday last week, police launched an intensive manhunt for the suspects, most of whom fled to the River Nile area in Madi Okollo District. Collins Asea, the acting Police Spokesperson for West Nile, confirmed the arrest of the suspects during a press briefing today.
He revealed that two of the suspects, Richard Asiku (36) and Eyotre Mungufeni, had confessed to hacking Drileba. In addition, the LC1 chairman of Oyeku Village, Stephen Atiku, was arrested in Arua City at a bus stop while attempting to flee to Kampala.
All 13 suspects are currently being held at Arua City Central Police Station (CPS), awaiting the completion of their case file for submission to the Resident State Attorney.
The family of the slain Paul Drileba, during his burial, demanded full justice from the security personnel for the murder of their loved one. Meanwhile, following the incident, the Police Land Desk for West Nile has started documenting land-related cases in the region, with particular focus on Ajia Sub-County, where there have been reports of widespread land sales by traditional inhabitants.
The hunt for more suspects continues, with Sunday Anguyo, a prime suspect, still at large-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
