Assistant Commissioner of Police for Northern Command, Peter Guinness, has raised alarm over the escalating security risks along the Sepik River, describing the border zone as an open “free-for-all” with no meaningful control over movement between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Indonesia. “There’s no oversight. People are crossing in and out without any regulation,” Guinness stated, likening the situation to animals moving across the border. He pointed out that border stations remain operational but are largely ignored, allowing unchecked passage between the two nations. Guinness emphasized that a lack of effective monitoring and insufficient personnel are major factors behind the vulnerability of the border. The majority of crossings are made by boat, with travelers paying up to K600 for a ride from Wewak to Bogia, covering the route via the Sepik and Ramu rivers in just a few hours. The Sepik River, with its intricate network of mangrove-lined waterways leading to Bogia, is another gap in security. “There’s no substantial control in these areas. To strengthen security, we need skilled, well-positioned personnel in places like Bogia,” Guinness said. In addition to boosting physical presence, Guinness called on the government to advance technology in border security. He pointed out the nation’s struggle to combat identity fraud and illegal crossings due to limited ICT resources. “Our ICT infrastructure is not robust enough to deal with threats like cybercrime or fraudulent digital activities,” he noted. “The government must address these gaps.” Guinness also advocated for more stringent regulations in telecommunications, proposing that mobile phone buyers’ identities—such as biometric data and phone numbers—be registered to aid in criminal investigations. He voiced concerns over delays caused by the visa process and urged telecommunications companies to collaborate more closely with law enforcement to ensure public safety. “The government needs to enforce stricter regulations on telecom companies to prioritize national security,” he stressed.