Police in Arua District are investigating a case in which two teenage boys allegedly stole a laptop belonging to the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and other government property.
The suspects, identified as Asikwo Amosi, 18, a student at St. Peter Secondary School in Ajia, and Fred Pariyo, 17, a school dropout, were arrested on Sunday, June 8, 2025.
Both are residents of Ombokolo Village in Ajia Sub-county, Arua District.
According to police reports, Amosi was spotted around 3:00 p.m. on Sunday at Aliwa Trading Centre, attempting to sell a laptop for Shs 100,000.
Local residents, suspecting foul play, alerted the police who responded swiftly and arrested him while in possession of the stolen laptop.
Investigations later revealed that the laptop was part of NIRA equipment stored at Ajia Police Station. During interrogation, Amosi named Fred Pariyo as the person who gave him the laptop to sell.
“Pariyo admitted that he had stolen the laptop during a break-in at the police store and handed it over to Amosi,” said Collins Asea, the West Nile and North Nile Police PRO.
A search of Pariyo’s home led to the recovery of additional stolen government items, including armpit thermometers, a health center kit box, and other medical supplies belonging to Ajia Health Centre.
Pariyo also confessed to an earlier incident on June 3, 2025, in which he stole a table drum used by NIRA for public mobilization and sold it for Shs 20,000.
He further admitted to breaking into the police store on June 6, where he stole the laptop and medical items.
Police have opened a case of housebreaking and theft of government property under CRB 117/2025. Efforts are ongoing to trace the individual who bought the stolen drum.
The suspects are currently detained at Arua Central Police Station. Police have commended the public for their vigilance and urged continued cooperation in the fight against crime.
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