HELA Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Inspector Arau Mairi has commended his police officers and members of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) for their swift response to a willful murder reported on Saturday 07th November 2026 at Pureni village, South Koroba LLG, Koroba Kopiago, Hela Province.
PPC Mairi said the police and PNGDF force personnel quickly responded to the murder of a 28-year-old, Rex Ipaya of Magara ward in South Koroba.
PPC said following the murder, police and PNGDF have given 48-hours to the ward Councilor and the community leaders to surrender the murder suspects. Eleven (11) suspects were brought in on Monday morning and formally handed over to the police.
PPC said the suspects are now in the police custody and would be charged accordingly, as the reason of the murder was still unknown.
He said the Criminal Investigation Division have collected necessary statements from the witnesses to establish the cause of the murder.
Police alleged that between 3pm and 4pm, the deceased and his tribesmen were returning to their village from a funeral service when attacked by a group of known suspects.
It was also alleged that the suspects monitored the deceased to kill him. The suspects were armed with bush knives and waited for the deceased and slaughtered him.
They also cut his legs and arms when he was helpless leading to his death. The deceased’s body was transported to Tari Hospital Morgue.
“I commend the community leaders for remaining on the ground throughout the day and into the night to ensure the successful surrender of the suspects this morning,” PPC Mairi said.
“This is a fourth murder case reported in the Hela province since the Gun Surrender Program began where communities have cooperated in handing over the suspects instead of resorting to revenge killings and tribal violence.”
PPC said the gun surrender is not just about removing the illegal firearms but it is also about changing the mindsets and restoring respect for the rule of law. He said those accused of crimes must face justice, not payback killings or tribal retaliation.
PPC thanked the community leaders for working with the police to ensure all the suspects were brought to the police, noting that peace requires collective responsibility and the courage to reject revenge.
“Our people increasingly choosing the rule of law over tribal violence and that is how lasting peace is built in Hela,” PPC Mairi said.