An attempted robbery of a vehicle along the highway from Bialla to Kimbe in the West New Britain (WNB) province has led to the untimely demise of a Grade 10 student.
The incident happened on Thursday 25th May around the Lavege village in Nakanai, when 12 armed men descended upon the vehicle, presumably transporting students from Bialla to Kimbe.
According to Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Peter Barkie, the youths armed with homemade weapons and machetes made an attempt to stop the vehicle, but the driver, seeing the immediate danger, did not stop.
This prompted the criminals to open fire, damaging the vehicle and shooting the student in the head.
“The Driver, seeing the injured student, rushed to the nearest health centre, at Malilimi Oil Palm Plantation when Police were notified, but the student passed during that time.”
Upon receiving the report, the police quickly responded by going after the suspects who fled into the nearby forest.
Police later engaged the criminals and during the shootng, one of the suspects was shot dead.
3 more suspects were taken into custody and are currently detained at Buvusi Police Station, pending investigations.
The PPC has pledged that this injustice will not go unnoticed, and they will do all they can to bring the suspects to Justice.