A prime suspect in the July 2024 Angoram massacre in East Sepik Province, where 26 Tambari villagers were killed, has surrendered to police.
Jerome Malakai, identified through a viral video, turned himself to police in at Pinang village on August 12th, according to the Commander for Border Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Perou N’Dranou
“Police in Wewak had brought the suspect to Wewak Police station and is now detained for further investigation and arrest.”
“The surrender of the main suspect was made possible after police officers and the village leaders worked closely to go through the videos by putting names on their faces and identifying the location of the suspects.”
“I want to thank my officers for a well-organized operation that led to the main suspect’s surrender.”
“At least one is now in custody the other will still come.”
ACP N’Dranou stated that the investigation will determine why the suspect, and his gang killed their fellow villagers.
He emphasized that the swift police response in apprehending one suspect has provided some closure to the public, further assuring that police, in collaboration with community leaders, are actively working to identify and prosecute all those involved in the massacre, noting that over 30 men were involved in the incident, which resulted in significant loss of life and property.
He also urged relatives of those involved to give them up.
“I want to call on the people of Tambari to help the police to give the names of those involved – since one had been identified and is in police custody, others must also come forward and surrender to police.”
“The innocent relatives of those involved must not hide those culprits but bring them forward so they will face the law themselves for what they did; this will help keep the relatives of those involved isolated from the incident.”