ACTING Southern Highlands Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Kelly Sombe says 40 high-powered firearms, 221 rounds of live ammunition and eight factory magazines have been voluntarily surrendered since the National Firearm Amnesty and Surrender Programme was launched on September 23, 2026.
Sombe has urged people still holding illegal firearms to surrender them to the State before the amnesty period expires on December 25, 2026, warning that security forces will launch cordon-and-search operations after the deadline.
The operations will involve the Southern Highlands Provincial Police Command, Mobile Squads, the Kumul 23 Task Force and Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) personnel, targeting warlord compounds and illegal gunsmith workshops through the execution of search warrants.
Sombe said the amnesty had been extended to December 25, 2026, providing a critical window for citizens, tribal leaders and armed factions to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms before the deadline.
He warned that legal immunity would cease upon the expiry of the amnesty period and that post-amnesty operations would enforce penalties under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 2022 and the Counter Terrorism Act 2002.
“I am pleased that Southern Highlands Province is achieving positive and measurable progress in the execution of the National Firearm Amnesty Programme.
“Our tribal leaders, church networks, local authorities and citizens across all five districts are showing respect for the law and actively supporting the gun amnesty awareness and surrender programme.
“Communities are actively working alongside the police by voluntarily surrendering firearms and ammunition at police stations across the province,” Sombe said.
He commended the people for their cooperation, saying it was encouraging to see individuals coming forward and taking responsibility by working closely with security forces,
particularly the PNGDF and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC).
Sombe said police had visited all five districts in the province to conduct public awareness activities following the programme’s launch in September. Local leaders and youths were briefed on the firearm surrender protocols ahead of the December deadline.
The awareness campaign is being supported by the rapid-response capabilities of specialised Kumul 23 tactical units to deter non-compliance.
The five districts are scheduled to undertake further surrender activities between November and December 2026, ahead of the December 25 deadline.