A successful week-long police operation by Central Province police, along with Mobile Squad officers from McGregor, led to the surrender of two murder suspects from Mondo village in the Woitape Local Level Government, Goilala District, Central Province.
The suspects surrendered to police this morning at Mondo village.
The operation, initiated by Central Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Inspector Joseph Salle, was launched following a series of fatal incidents, with three deaths reported in Mondo village and one in the nearby villages of Yumu and Idu.
PPC Salle deployed officers to mediate peace and prevent further conflict.
Arriving at the scene last Saturday, police successfully negotiated with village leaders to identify those involved in the recent killings.
Chief Inspector Salle, present during the surrender, thanked Mondo village leaders and residents for their cooperation, noting the surrender as a positive step towards community change.
The PPC highlighted the impact of the conflict, including the temporary closure of Mondo Primary School, which disrupted students’ education.
He emphasized that the nearby Tolokuma mine, poised to benefit the community through economic development and improved road access, requires law and order as a foundation for other government services to reach the area. He described the suspects’ surrender as a significant start toward restoring peace and stability.
Tolokuma mine landowner chairman George Gusie, who was instrumental in the negotiations, expressed gratitude for the police presence and pledged to continue working with other villages to facilitate the surrender of additional suspects.
Mondo community spokesperson Silliso Elei also thanked the police for restoring a sense of safety, allowing villagers to return to their homes and gardens after months of displacement.
Elei urged neighboring villages to surrender their suspects, hoping this would mark the end of hostilities.
According to police, the inter-village conflict began after the tragic death of a child from Mondo village, who was reportedly killed and thrown into a burning house.
In retaliation, Mondo villagers allegedly killed a man from Yumu village, which escalated into further violence and property damage. Police intervention brought the situation under control, preventing further bloodshed.
PPC Salle commended the community leaders for their collaboration and reassured them of continued police presence to maintain peace.
