The civil society group, CEPO, says 13 activists have been arrested in Wau after they petitioned state authorities over misconduct of some security personnel.

CEPO says the nine were arrested this morning while four others were detained on Saturday.

This month, the state government deployed more forces in Bagari Jedid, Bazia Jedid, Jebel Kheer, and some parts of the town to improve security.

More than a week ago, activists said they received complaints from residents of the town about intimidation and harassment by security forces.

The communication officer for CEPO, James Bidali, says state authorities responded by arresting the activists.

Mr Bidali told Eye Radio that those detained include Steven Robo, Angelo Vicensio, and a Mr Arkanjello.

“The state has taken it more like a confrontational approach towards them. That’s how the arrests came about,” he said.

The mayor of Wau Town, Elia Kamilo, has denied knowledge of the arrests, but admitted that he received a copy of the petition.

However, he said the petition was written by groups that he described as illegal.

“There is an illegal body which calls itself civil organization network forum. While trying to check this organization, we realized that the body is not registered in the ministry of humanitarian affairs in the state,” Mr Kamilo claimed.

“It is just a group of people who have an agenda of destabilizing the security in the state and incite people.”

Activists say their colleagues are being held at an unknown location.