Three LC1 chairpersons in Kotido district have been arrested by police for issuing letters to cattle traders inside Kanawat cattle market in Kotido.

The trio was nabbed by the animal checkpoint squad of the anti-stock theft unit, according to police spokesperson for Karamoja, Mike Longole.

Longole has identified the suspects as Francis Chulo,the LC1 chairman for Naoyakiong village in Kotido municipality, Samuel Amedo-LC1 chair Lodoket village in Loletio sub-county and LoupeLopusakou,LC1 chairman for Areanch village in Napumpum sub-county.

They have been detained at Kotido central police station for aiding and abetting cattle rustling.

Longole says the suspects will be taken to court and that they will serve as an example to other village chairpersons to desist from being compromised by wrong elements.

The arrest of the three village chairpersons comes barely eight months following the nabbing of three sub-county chairmen in Kaabong district for branding stolen animals from the Turkana herders.

It has been reported that some raiders always bribe village chairpersons to issue them letter to take stolen animals to the market while others have been accused of issuing letters within the market without ascertaining whether the animals are stolen or not.