Enga Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Chief Superintendent Fred Yakasa in a video addressing incidents in the province, gave an update on the Sirunki incident that took place on the 22nd of October where a PMV bus was ambushed in Lagaip resulting in the death of six people who were passengers on board that bus.
He made an appeal to the people of Sirunki specifically to the tribal groups of Lyain and Moen when he made a surprise visit along with some of his men. He also made an appeal to them to surrender the suspects.
According to the Supt. Yakasa, the people of both tribes asked for the suspects of the previous incidents that had occurred before to surrender first before they surrender their own, however, Supt Yakasa told them they won’t be doing so and that they need to surrender those involved and from there can talk peace amongst the relatives of the victims.
“After making the appeal, the people then spoke and came up with a decision to have the suspects surrender which saw a total of seven suspects who are now locked up at Wabag police station.”
The next step is for the police force to now approach another tribe called Mulapin in which they would have their suspects surrender as well. This is according to Supt. Yakasa who stated that there are several tribes now involved, especially in the massacre that took place in Sirunki.
“As it is now, the highway is now safe for public motor vehicles to travel, however, commuters are still advised to take precautionary measures.”
“I have instructed my men to turn back PMVs from Wabag travelling further to Lagaip and further to Mulitaka.”
The victims of the October 22nd killings include two from Mulitaka, three from Sirunki and one from Lagaip area. Supt. Yakasa also added that they are camping at Sirunki High School to ensure that no further conflict erupts from this situation.
“There are so many tribes involved in the latest massacre so there’s potential for problems if we don’t go up there and suppress it from the beginning. The law-and-order division in Enga would go out and try to mediate peace in terms of the communities but that will not stop the police from doing their normal duties in apprehending more suspects.”
He further stated that this is as far as the police have progressed on the investigations, especially with the arrests of those suspects and are hoping to make more arrests in relation to these violent attacks and incidents that have occurred.