The West New Britain Police have advised that they are currently looking into the alleged police killings that occurred on the 20th of this month following a police stakeout in a remote area of the Kandrian-Gloucester District.
Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Peter Barkie advised that at the moment a preliminary report has already been sent to police higher ups and at the moment a team is travelling to Cape Gloucester to ascertain facts surrounding the deaths of the 3 youths.
He explained that the 3 youths that were killed were under investigation for links to a criminal gang that for a few weeks now had been terrorizing communities around the area, resulting in the death of 6 people including a police reservist.
On the 20th, the PPC explained that they had received word that the gang was hiding out in a village call Ongaia when the incident occurred.
“Police decided to do an early morning raid. In the process, 3 of them were arrested and these 3 were believed to be members of that criminal gang. They were apprehended at Ongaia village and they were being transported to Cape Gloucester Police Station for interrogation.”
He said it was reported that during transporting the suspects, there was an attempt made to escape and unfortunately the three men were killed.
Due to the remoteness of the area, the PPC advised that a team dispatched to conduct investigations should be arriving at Cape Gloucester by this morning.