At least 208 suspected criminal gangs were on Sunday night arrested by a joint security agencies during an intelligence led operation in Gulu City.
The suspects, aged between 16 and 30, were arrested in the areas of Te-Gwana Cell, Layibi Go Down, Industrial Area Cell, Kanyagoga and Laroo, all within the Central Business District (CBD).
The crackdown follows rising levels of crime within Gulu city center and its outskirts involving armed thugs.
The joint operation against the street gangs was led by Brig. Gen. Bony Bamwiseki, the 4th Division Army Commander.
Some of the suspects arrested during swoop are reported to be hardcore criminals and were recently released from jail after serving their time.
Brigadier Gen. Bonny Bamwiseki, the 4th Division Army Commander said the operation was aimed at bringing sanity to the city riddled with violent crimes. He said the street gangs have become the biggest threat to residents and there is need to stop them.
The Aswa River Region Police Spokesperson David Ongom Mudong, said the operation was randomly done in response to the growing concerns of locals on insecurity.
He says the suspects will undergo screening to ascertain those linked to crime in the city before their files are forwarded to the Resident State Attorney for advice before they are arraigned before court.
