Acting Enga Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent Daniel Yangen, has vowed to intensify the arrest of lawbreakers across the province, warning that criminal offences will be dealt with through the law without negotiation.
Yangen made the statement during awareness campaigns at Kambas and Birip markets, saying police would take a firm approach against people involved in criminal activities.
“I personally arrested 15 suspects, and there will be no time for negotiations on criminal matters,” Yangen said.
“No one is above the law. The law is above every individual citizen in the community.”
He appealed to community leaders and members of the public to cooperate with police by providing information about criminal activities and wanted offenders in their communities.
Yangen also warned that police would not tolerate alcohol-related offences or the cultivation, possession and sale of illicit drugs.
His warning comes as police arrested a suspected drug smuggler and seized about 10 kilograms of marijuana at the Nenem Bridge Gun Amnesty Police Checkpoint in Wapenamanda.
Yangen said the drugs were allegedly being transported in a PMV bus travelling from Wabag towards Mt Hagen when officers discovered the bag during a checkpoint search.
The suspect, described by police as a youth who claimed to be a PMV crew member from Minamba Valley in Wapenamanda, was arrested and charged with possession of dangerous drugs before being detained at Wabag Police Station pending his court appearance.
Yangen commended checkpoint commander Constable Jackson Naipe and his officers for their work, saying the team had previously arrested three suspects who were subsequently convicted by the Wabag District Court and sentenced to custodial terms.
He also praised Task Force Commander Sergeant Paul Pani and his officers for arresting six alleged tribal fight leaders in Maramuni LLG, Wabag District.
Three suspects were arrested from each of the two opposing clans involved in the conflict.
“Policing in a remote area like Maramuni is very challenging, but through hard work and true commitment, the mission was accomplished,” Yangen said.
“I salute the officers for their dedication and commitment. Our constitutional duty as police is to apprehend lawbreakers and bring them before the courts of justice.”
According to Yangen, the Maramuni tribal conflict began in early June 2026 following a dispute involving a homemade single-shot firearm between the Monain and Yangari clans.
Despite preventive measures being put in place, the fighting continued, reportedly claiming more than 17 lives and resulting in the destruction of properties worth millions of kina.
Yangen said the arrest of the six alleged ringleaders had contributed to a successful ceasefire between the conflicting groups.
He described tribal fighting as a “chronic cancer” that destroys communities, families, livelihoods and development.
The acting PPC again appealed to people throughout Enga Province to take advantage of the National Gun Amnesty Program and voluntarily surrender illegal firearms in their possession.
Yangen said police would continue awareness and enforcement operations across the province, stressing that people involved in tribal fighting, illegal firearms, drugs and other criminal activities would be arrested and brought before the courts.