The Constabulary’s Internal Affairs Division has released a report to the police hierarchy detailing its’ recent investigations in Eastern Highlands province in which several suspects including police and civilians were arrested charged and referred to the court for prosecution.
Acting Commissioner of Police Samson Kua said a barrage of complaints were raised against Goroka Police at the height of the University of Goroka clashes necessitating the need to deploy a neutral and impartial team of investigators from Port Moresby.
He said the IAD team from Port Moresby suspended the Provincial Police Commander and the Goroka Police Station Commander, and they also took the initiative to investigate some of the civilian complaints.
The PPC and PSC have since resumed duties, but their cases are still pending with the Internal Affairs Division, acting Commissioner Kua said today.
Three men namely Barnabas Simahe, Neriso Philip and Jerson Baina all adults were arrested and charged by members of the IAD for Unlawful Assault under Section 6 (3) of the Summary Offence Act, and they were each sentenced with a K2000 fine, with default of two years imprisonment.
Two other civilians namely Keith Kitika and Ricky Gahaizo both male adults were arrested and charged for Unlawful Assembly under Section 64 of the PNG Criminal Code Act and their cases are pending with the committal court.
Acting Commissioner Kua said although many were involved in the violence, the five arrested by members of the IAD were clearly identified by witnesses who came forward to assist the police investigations.
He said some students implicated in the violent clashes could not be arrested because they aborted studies and were repatriated to their respective provinces, but investigations will continue when they resume classes.
These results indicate the positive actions taken by the Constabulary in dealing with offences committed at the height of the University of Goroka clashes, resulting in injuries, destruction to properties and suspension of clashes for the 2025 academic year.
Acting Commissioner Kua said the IAD team also investigated reports of police abuses which led to the recovery of a male corpse inside the Yonki dam on 25th of October 2025.
The Rural Police Station Commander who went to investigate the matter was attacked by disgruntled locals, causing a retaliatory attack by police personnel resulting in looting and destruction to properties at the Agamore market.
Acting Commissioner Kua said two male suspects, a PNG Power employee and a police reservist were arrested and charged for wilful murder and nine members of Kainantu Police were arrested and served serious disciplinary offence charges for looting and destroying the Agamore market.
Four more policemen connected to the Yonki homicide case are now under the radar of the Internal Affairs and they will be arrested soon, Mr Kua added.
He said a reserve policeman accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a man from Kimiyau village in Goroka, was also arrested by the Internal Affairs team.
The accused Reserve Constable Richard Gotaha a male adult of Goroka was arrested and charged by members of the IAD and the matter is now in the committal court.
Mr Kua commended members of the Internal Affairs investigation team for applying the law firmly and for imposing the values of discipline and ethics, within the Constabulary in the Eastern Highlands Province.
The acting Commissioner said such positive actions taken by the Constabulary would help to restore public trust and confidence in the hearts and minds of people affected by acts of police misconduct, not only in the Eastern Highlands Province, but throughout the country.
Police Personnel follow Commands from their superiors no matter what.. which they are trained to do.. For the above matters in Goroka, so far I have not seen any Police OIC, Commander or superior being questioned or arrested.. The Investigation team needs to be questioned and investigated themselves for transparency to prevail.