Juba authorities resolve to tackle “Toronto,” drug abuse, and other crimes

2026-03-21 - 12:04

The Minister of Interior, Aleu Ayeiny Aleu, and the Governor of Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Adil Anthony, have announced plans to tighten security in Juba to curb crimes by youth gangs commonly known as “Toronto,” following a rise in drug abuse and juvenile delinquency in recent days. The announcement followed a high-level meeting between Minister Aleu, Governor Adil, and senior security officials to address what they described as “pressing security challenges.” During the discussions, officials raised alarm over increasing cases of drug abuse, alcohol-related incidents, and youth involvement in crime, saying these are key drivers of insecurity in the capital and surrounding areas. They also reviewed challenges facing the six security sectors, a move authorities say will improve coordination, response times, and overall control of the city. Both national and state leaders said responsibilities have now been clearly defined, with joint efforts underway to enforce the new measures. Speaking after the meeting, Interior Minister Aleu stressed the need for stronger coordination among security institutions to restore order. “Among the things we discussed was sectorial security, as Juba has been divided into six sectors. We reviewed the challenges in each sector and explored the best ways to address them. We also addressed issues of drug abuse, alcoholism, and juvenile delinquency,” Minister Aleu said. “Most of these matters were thoroughly discussed, and we have now clearly defined the responsibilities between the state and national government,” he added, saying the measures will help tackle the problems facing Juba in the coming days. Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony described the meeting as a step forward but warned that deeper challenges remain. He cited ongoing land disputes, criminal activity, and weak cooperation between communities and law enforcement as major obstacles to lasting peace and stability. “We look at some of the challenges to do with the Nigga, Toronto, drug abuse, issues of land administration and land crises, and we look at general security concerning crimes,” he said. “So, the Ministry of Interior and the entire team is ready to ensure that we combat any form of crime that affects the life of our people,” he added. Juba serves as both the state and national capital, making security concerns in the city a top priority for authorities.