Malaitans are being urged to assist police arrest three armed robbers who stormed the Bank South Pacific (BSP) branch in Auki, Friday, and got off with more than $200,000 cash is approximately PGK50, 000.
Malaita premier Peter Ramohia made the appeal yesterday.
“I call on all my peace loving people – especially our chiefs and church leaders – to work hand in hand with our police to not only make sure those involved in the robbery are brought to justice but that our communities are totally free of guns,” Ramohia said
He said the national government’s proposal to rearm certain branches of the Royal Solomon Islands Police is justified and is supported by Malaita Provincial Government.
“It is hereby suggested too – based on recent gun related incidents- that part of the Rapid Response Unit be also based in Auki, now that RAMSI has left,” Ramohia said.
He apologised to the management and staff of BSP affected and traumatised by this “very undesirable, unacceptable, disgraceful and shameful incident”.
“Unfortunately, it is such incidents that continue to tarnish the good name of Malaita – a goal that my government has been working hard to restore during the past eleven months.”
Ramohia said the incident was a slap on the face for Malaitan provincial leaders and people.
“This is the second incident involving guns in the past months on Malaita.
“It is a clear indication that guns are still present in our communities and this makes our communities unsafe.
“Fortunately no one was killed or injured during this incident and no properties were damaged as well.”
During the daylight robbery at 11.25am, the three robbers, who wore balaclavas and armed with a shot-gun, fired two shots in the air.
The first was fired to scare customers and bank staff off as they entered the bank, the second to chase away unarmed police officers approaching the bank.
They filled up a sack with cash from the tellers before escaping in a taxi they stole from its driver.
The robbers abandoned the vehicle at Gwounoa village, some 14 kilometres north of Auki, and headed into the jungle.
Police in Honiara sent in reinforcement that included RAMSI soldiers to assist Malaita police in their investigations.
The hunt for the three robbers continues.