Over 800 suspected criminals have been arrested and detained by the joint security forces during a cordon and search operation against cattle rustlers in Karamoja.
The joint forces comprising police and army are engaged in cordon and search operations in the districts of Kotido, Abim, Moroto, Napak, Amudat, Nakapiripirit, Nabilatuk, and Karenga.
According to Micheal Longole the Mt. Moroto region police spokesperson, the operations are aimed at recovering illegal guns, arresting and prosecuting criminal elements who have been involved in cattle rustling.
‘’We rounded up a total of 800 suspects on day one of the operations and the screening is underway with more other operations going on,’’ said Longole.
He added that no firearm was recovered in the operations, but a number of bows and arrows were recovered when they learnt that they were also used for committing crimes.
The suspects were paraded before the community so as to help the security personnel to identify the wrong elements during the screening exercise.
They mainly consist of the youth aged between 15 and 28 who are actively participating in armed cattle raids.
Authorities have warned residents to avoid running away when they see security forces surrounding their village.
