Authorities in Torit County, Eastern Equatoria State, have issued a “shoot-on-sight” order targeting any civilian found carrying arms in the county.

The directive was announced by Torit County Commissioner Joseph Kujo Lomude on Thursday, April 2, 2026, during a security meeting.

According to the commissioner, the order aims to restore peace and security in the area following a recent surge in armed criminal activities, including robberies and attacks on civilians.

“Any civilian found with a gun will be shot on sight,” Lomude warned.

He added that security forces have been instructed to implement the order immediately and without hesitation.

The move comes amid growing insecurity in parts of Eastern Equatoria, where armed groups and cattle rustlers have been blamed for increased incidents of violence, theft, and fear among residents.

Local leaders and residents have expressed mixed reactions.

While some welcome the tough measures to curb lawlessness, others have raised concerns about possible human rights abuses and the risk of innocent civilians being caught in the crackdown.

Commissioner Lomude urged residents to surrender illegal weapons voluntarily to security forces and cooperate with authorities to restore normalcy in the county.

This is the latest in a series of strict security directives issued by local authorities in different parts of South Sudan in response to rising criminality and inter-communal tensions.