Motorists in Port Moresby city can now commute through the 2 Mile Hill area but are advised to exercise caution after police conducted roadblocks at Murray Barracks and Badili to ensure the safety of both pedestrians and motorists.

Following the incident that led to the eviction of settlers at 2 Mile Hill, Badili Police Station Commander, Chief Sergeant Abel Andrew, recounted the events that triggered the current situation in the area.

He told PNG HAUSBUNG that this was not the first-time settlers from the area had come onto the road to attack civilians or police officers.

“Every day and every week they come up to the road and do these things,” Chief Sergeant Andrew said.

“In that incident, they held up a soldier at SVS, who reported the matter to police. When officers attempted to apprehend the suspects on Saturday, they retaliated.”

Chief Sergeant Andrew clarified that the officers involved at the time were not from Badili Police Station, but from a different unit within the National Capital District who had gone in to assist.

“They attacked the police by firing shots at them, and this was a different unit, not Badili officers,” he said.

He further revealed that the group later went to the Badili Police Station and attacked four officers who were on duty.

“They literally went into the station and there were more than a hundred of them. They outnumbered the four officers at the scene,” Chief Sergeant Andrew said.

Fortunately, he said armed officers from the single barracks located behind the Badili Police Station responded and assisted their counterparts.

“During the commotion, some officers were injured. Stones were thrown, and one officer was hit on the forehead,” he said.

Meanwhile, police are urging commuters to take necessary precautions when travelling through the 2 Mile Hill area.