A suspect was shot dead in the early hours of this morning at Nadzab Airport in Morobe Province.
“Lae Police received intelligence that there was going to be a major hold up at Nadzab airport last night (Sunday), or early hours of this morning,” Lae Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jnr said.
Two units were dispatched to the location and the gang, numbering over 15, was caught by surprise when they illegally entered into the terminal area at 2am.
“The gang had entered by cutting through the perimeter fence and made their way to the terminal area,” Wagambie Jnr said.
“At the terminal, the criminals held up the security guards and were trying to break into the airlines offices when armed policemen, camped at the tarmac area, disturbed them.”
Wagambie Jnr revealed that the man that was shot dead was identified by airport security guards as the criminal who recently held them up and tied them during a robbery at the airport.
However, the rest of the gang members fled into a bush along the runway, under the cover of darkness. Arrests are yet to be made.
“I commend my men for a job well done in at least showing the criminals that we are alert and ready to counter them if they want to try anything,” Wagambie Jnr said.
“Police reinforcement from Sector Response Unit and Mobile Squad 13 were called in to assist to sweep through the tarmac in time to clear the area before the first flight arrived.
“Airport operations have been normal and on schedule this morning.”