Police are yet to arrest and charge suspects involved in setting alight two unmarked police vehicles in Hula Village, Rigo District of Central Province on Saturday 7th February 2026.

According to the NCD/Central Police Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Turi, suspects have been identified and directed to surrender to authorities tomorrow.

“Suspects who were also involved in burning down three houses belonging to the village people had also been identified and were ordered to surrender tomorrow,” he said.

ACP Turi said police are still investigating the reason behind the burning of the vehicles. He noted that social media speculation regarding the initial cause will be verified once suspects from both sides are brought in for questioning.

“I want to thank my police officers in the command, as well as our Operational Units, which include the Mobile Squad and Dog Unit, who responded when police were notified by rescuing the families of the policeman in the village,” ACP Turi added.

According to information provided to the police, a policeman’s daughter was seriously assaulted late last year.

She was brought in for medical treatment but died at the hospital. Upon returning home for the burial, relatives reportedly burned down some houses, which prompted villagers to retaliate by burning the unmarked police vehicles.

ACP Turi stressed that all parties involved will be investigated and charged accordingly.

“While stressing the Hula incident, what the villagers did to the police vehicles was not right because the vehicles are not private property belonging to individual police officers or their families. They are public property,” he said.

ACP Turi condemned the actions and called on village leaders and the police to ensure all suspects surrender by tomorrow, Tuesday, February 10th, 2026. He also stated that the police officers responsible for driving the vehicles will be investigated and dealt with accordingly. The burnt vehicles have been towed back to Port Moresby city.