Internal investigations carried out by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNG) in Eastern Highlands Province (EHP) have resulted in multiple arrests, charges, and court referrals involving both police officers and civilians.
The Constabulary’s Internal Affairs Division recently submitted a detailed report to police leadership outlining the outcomes of investigations conducted following violent clashes in Goroka during the 2025 academic year, particularly those linked to unrest at the University of Goroka.
Acting Commissioner of Police Samson Kua said the investigations were prompted by numerous complaints lodged against Goroka Police at the height of the clashes, leading to the deployment of an independent and impartial Internal Affairs team from Port Moresby.
He said the Internal Affairs team temporarily suspended both the Provincial Police Commander and the Goroka Police Station Commander while investigations were carried out and also extended inquiries to complaints raised by civilians.
The two senior officers have since resumed their duties; however, their cases remain under review by the Internal Affairs Division.
As part of the investigations, three men, identified as Barnabas Simahe, Neriso Philip, and Jerson Baina, were arrested and charged for Unlawful Assault under Section 6(3) of the Summary Offence Act. Each was fined K2,000, with a default sentence of two years’ imprisonment.
Two additional civilians, Keith Kitika and Ricky Gahaizo, were arrested and charged for Unlawful Assembly under Section 64 of the PNG Criminal Code Act. Their cases are currently pending before the committal court.
Acting Commissioner Kua explained that while many individuals were involved in the violence, only five suspects were arrested because they were clearly identified by witnesses who came forward to assist investigators.
He said several students implicated in the clashes could not be apprehended as they had discontinued their studies and returned to their home provinces, but investigations will continue when they resume classes.
“These results indicate the positive actions taken by the Constabulary in dealing with offences committed at the height of the University of Goroka clashes, resulting in injuries, destruction to properties and suspension of clashes for the 2025 academic year,” Kua said.
The Internal Affairs Division also investigated reports of police misconduct connected to the discovery of a male body in the Yonki Dam on October 25, 2025.
During the investigation, the Rural Police Station Commander assigned to the case was attacked by local residents, which escalated into a retaliatory police response that resulted in looting and destruction of property at the Agamore Market.
Acting Commissioner Kua said two male suspects, a PNG Power employee and a police reservist, were arrested and charged with willful murder.
In addition, nine members of Kainantu Police were arrested and served with serious disciplinary charges for their involvement in looting and destroying the Agamore Market.
He added that four more police officers linked to the Yonki homicide investigation are currently under Internal Affairs scrutiny and will be arrested soon.
A separate case involved a police reservist accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a man from Kimiyau Village in Goroka.
The accused, Reserve Constable Richard Gotaha, was arrested and charged by Internal Affairs investigators, and the matter is now before the committal court.
Mr. Kua commended members of the Internal Affairs Division for enforcing the law firmly and upholding discipline and ethical standards within the Constabulary in Eastern Highlands Province.
He said such actions are critical to rebuilding public trust and confidence in policing, not only in Eastern Highlands Province but across the country.
