Security in Pader district has arrested the suspected leader of the notorious Market Defence Unit, MDU. The 80-member gang has reportedly been terrorizing locals of Puranga Sub-County for months.
Vincent Olagara was arrested on Saturday from Alepu B Village, in Puranga Sub-County, where he was residing. His arrest comes three weeks after Pader Resident District Commissioner-RDC, Milton Odong, issued an ultimatum to the group to surrender or be “crashed”. The gang had been operating in Alepu Village, Laminocwida Parish, and Oret parishes near Cuk Adek (Adek market) in Puranga Sub-County.
Odongo told URN on Wednesday that the rest of the group members have fled to the Teso sub-region.
According to Odongo, Olagara will appear in court within the next two days to answer several charges brought against him. Abrahams Tukundane, the Pader District Police Commander, says the suspect is on remand at Kinene Prison on several charges including robbery., aggravated robbery, and assault among others. Tukundane says the suspect revealed the structure of the gang and the identity of other members who are being trailed.
The group had reportedly been armed with knives, machetes, timber with nails, and chains and is operating around Cuk Adek market, by waylaying and assaulting community members, robbing, raping women and young girls, burglary, and fighting among others. A criminal case against the gang was reported to Puranga Police Station for robbery and malicious damage, Vide SD REF 06/10/8/2023.
URN.