By DALCY LULUA
ACTING Commissioner of Correctional Institutional Services (CIS) Benerd Nepo, has denied claims that recent tensions within the correctional service are linked to a leadership dispute, saying the real issue is the alleged unauthorized removal of firearms from Bomana.
Nepo’s comments come after a video circulated widely on social media on Tuesday night showing police officers rounding up a group of CIS personnel. The footage sparked public speculation about a possible standoff between members of the two disciplinary forces and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the arrests.
Addressing a press conference today, Nepo said there was no struggle over the top CIS position and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting any commissioner appointed by the Government.
“The bottom line is it’s not about tussling for the top position,” Nepo said. “I respect the Government’s decision. Whoever comes in, we’re willing to work with them. It’s not about fighting over the position; it’s about fighting for firearms.”
Nepo said he has never instructed any officer to retrieve firearms from Bomana and maintained that the matter under investigation is who authorized certain personnel to remove the weapons.
“The only issue is who authorized some people to go and get the firearms at Bomana,” he said. “For me, I have never instructed anyone to go and get the firearms. The only instruction I issued to my officers was to go and check who went and got the firearms from Bomana.”
According to Nepo, four known CIS officers allegedly removed firearms from the Bomana facility and were later pursued by other correctional officers.
“What actually happened yesterday was that the guys who stole the firearms from Bomana were heading towards Gerehu, and my officers were pursuing them upon my advice,” he said.
Nepo alleged that during the pursuit, police intervened and detained the officers conducting the chase rather than those suspected of taking the firearms.
“The four known CIS officers are not detained and we do not know why,” he said. “Roughly about 17 CIS members who pursued the four known CIS personnel who stole the guns are behind bars now.”
He said he intends to seek clarification from Police Commissioner David Manning regarding the circumstances that led to the arrests.
“I will have an audience with the Police Commissioner as to why they were not arrested,” Nepo said.
Nepo also stated that firearms carried by the pursuing officers are currently in police custody, while the weapons allegedly removed from Bomana remain unaccounted for.
“I am yet to establish the facts, but I think those firearms are still out there,” he said.
Addressing reports surrounding the appointment of a new CIS commissioner, Nepo said he had not received official advice regarding any replacement but acknowledged that his name had not been submitted in recent appointment processes.
Despite the uncertainty, Nepo said he would not challenge any Government decision regarding the position.
“If the Government removes me, I will not go to court. I have nothing to hide,” he said. “I am willing to support and work under whoever is appointed.”
However, the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) has presented a different account of the incident.
In a statement issued on this afternoon, police confirmed that 20 Correctional Services personnel had been detained following what was described as a disorderly conduct incident overnight.
According to police, the arrested officers are facing charges relating to the illegal discharge of firearms, assault, and making threats against other personnel and their families.
Police said the incident began with a confrontation at a Correctional Services barracks before escalating and moving to a residence within the National Capital District, where the arrests were subsequently carried out.
“The arrested CS personnel are being charged in relation to the illegal discharge of firearms, assault and making threats against other personnel and their families,” the statement said.
The Constabulary further stated that bail will be opposed and that the matter will proceed through the courts, while disciplinary processes within Correctional Services will run concurrently with the criminal proceedings.