The Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (a/ACP) Joseph Tondop issued a sweeping Emergency Order In a bold move to restore law and order along the volatile Wabag–Porgera Highway.
The Emergency order was declared on the Easter Friday, 18th April, 2025 in a statement from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC).
The Emergency Order No. 28, targets escalating tribal criminality, particularly the actions of the Sakare tribe, following the recent hijacking of two container trucks at Yonge, Laiagam District.
The order responds to a string of brazen incidents, including the theft of over K2.4 million worth of goods in the last 4 years and a series of unlawful acts involving armed robbery of Porgera Ambulance, road sabotage, and the illegal seizure of public assets.
All while the Emergency Peace Agreement in Place.
A/ACP Tondop, now Controller of the 2024/25 Porgera State of Emergency, declared the Sakare tribe an outlaw group, subject to immediate enforcement unless proven otherwise.
To reassert state control, Tondop laid down six decisive orders in the commenced date of Friday 18th April 2025 and ongoing.
These directives include;
- The Sakar leadership is required to surrender all key suspects involved in the recent armed robbery and looting within 48 hours, from 6:00pm on Friday, April 18, to 6:00pm on Sunday, April 20, 2025.
- The Sakar Tribe is required to pay K300,000 in compensation to Porgera business owners within 60 days, setting a precedent for future accountability.
The deadline for payment runs from April 19 to June 20, 2025.
- Hijacking of containers along the Wabag to Porgera route must cease immediately, starting Friday, April 18, 2025. Police are Special Security Forces are authorized to use necessary force to protect lives and property on this highway.
- All local tribal leaders along the looting-prone highway are required to surrender suspects and cover costs for stolen goods. SSFs will enforce this by confiscating property in affected areas and arresting anyone linked to hijacking incidents.
- Upon the Approval of Porgera Chamber OF Commerce, the SSFs will be deployed to escort all freight along the highway, from Laigam to Porgera.
- Porgera Police Station Commander will establish a new security checkpoint before Tipinini at Maip Mountain, alongside support from the Porgera Chamber of Commerce and Porgera DDA.
With enforcement beginning on Easter Friday, April 18, the message is clear: the state will no longer tolerate tribal lawlessness.
Failure to comply with the orders will result in arrest, charges, and prosecution without warning.
Those resisting or threatening SSF personnel may face immediate use of force, including being shot without warning.
The members of the public are urged to cooperate with the immediate law enforcement and will remain confidential to restore peace and normalcy within the district through providing information on any activity that endangers the peace.