Morobe Police have responded swiftly and contained serious incidents involving arson and armed confrontation that resulted in six deaths and destruction of six houses at Sambio in Bulolo.
Morobe Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Chief Superintendent, Samson Siguyaru, said members of the Mobile Squad 15 and the Morobe Response Unit were immediately deployed to the area where they quickly contained the situation over the weekend.
PPC Siguyaru confirmed that six deaths were reported and six permanent houses were burned down. The six dead bodies are at Bulolo hospital and would be taken the Angau General Hospital.
He added that some people were still missing and the police had yet to confirm the total number of deaths.
PPC Siguyaru said the police units comprised of Mumeng and Bulolo police, and the members of Mobile Squad 15 are on ground maintaining peace and stability as tension remains high.
Mr Siguyaru said the incident involving arson, armed confrontation, and subsequent retaliatory violence was
between Patrick Bendum and his families and Sambio villagers in Bulolo District.
Police alleged that on Thursday 23 April, Patrick Bendum’s son fired eight (8) rounds from his pistol at youths at Sambio Primary School gate. The youths retaliated and burnt his bottle shop. Mumeng police attended to the matter on Friday, and the situation quiet but tense.
Police also alleged that on Saturday, a mediation was held and both parties agreed that compensation would be met by youths responsible but did not happen. In the afternoon Bendum went to Bulolo and took some youths to Sambio. While under the influence of alcohol, they fired gunshots during the night until Sunday morning. This escalated into an attack by Sambio villagers where six lives were lost and six houses destroyed by arsonists.
“Police have ordered both parties to lay down weapons and return to their respective areas. The police are maintaining a strong presence in the area, and the situation remains under close monitoring,” PPC Siguyaru said.
“A full criminal investigation is now underway and those responsible for the violence, including unlawful killings, arson, and firearm offences, will be identified and brought before the courts.”
He urged the communities to remain calm, refrain from further violence, and cooperate with police.