West Sepik police boss Chief Inspector Moses Ibsagi confirmed a total of three separate killings had taken place in the province over the Christmas long weekend almost disrupting a peaceful weekend of celebrations for most residents.
Provincial Police Commander Moses Ibsagi further stated that two of the three incidents were related to the consumption of homebrew by youths which led to a fighting brawl and in turn the deaths of two young men on separate occasions, while the third killing was related to illegal activities.
In the first incident in Lumi, PPC Ibsagi said the victim had been slashed across the throat with a bush knife and died instantly following a drunken brawl which broke out between the victim and several other youths as they were consuming homebrew on Christmas eve.
The body of a youth male killed is arranged to be buried today as the local health faciliity is not equipped with mortuary services.
PPC Ibsagi added that the suspects have agreed to surrender to police when reinforcements are sent to the area to apprehend them. The suspects have since gone into hiding in fear of their own safety.
The current situation on ground is tense as relatives of the deceased have retaliated during Christmas and Boxing Day.
In another similar incident, the body of a 17-year-old male who died after being stabbed during the Christmas period is now at the Vanimo General Hospital mortuary.
PPC Ibsagi said the nature of the incident is similar to the killing which occurred in Lumi on Christmas eve. PPC Ibsagi said the victim was stabbed as a result of fighting which erupted after an argument between a group of youths who were also consuming homebrew at the time of the incident.
Ibsagi has confirmed that 2 suspects have been arrested and detained. The situation in Vanimo is pretty quiet.
“The third incident was a suspicious death that has been reported in the Musu area, believed to be relating to illegal activities,” said Chief Inspector Ibsagi.
PPC Ibsagi said the victim died due to loss of blood after having his left ear chopped off and his body is now at the Vanimo General Hospital morgue.
PPC Ibsagi says the suspect has escaped across the international border to Jayapura, Indonesia. Contact has been made with the authorities in Jayapura to assist in detaining the suspect and handing him to WSP police.