Central Police

According to police reports, 22-year-old Tommy Thomas, from a mixed parentage of Goroka and Buka, allegedly attacked the girl when she was walking home from school on Thursday, 17 May, at 14-Mile, outside the nation’s capital.

Central police commander, Laimo Asi, told Loop PNG that the suspect, in a face mask and armed with a knife, attacked the girl from behind.

“He stabbed her twice but she blocked him off. Another youth, who happened to be nearby, heard the cry from the victim and disturbed the suspect, who fled into hiding.”

PPC Asi says this issue has been an on-going one as most of this cops are not being dealt with when they are reported.

Asi says the roadblocks set up at Laloki and Doa will be manned by his officers who will not tolerate such cops who break the law.

He futher appealed to the police officers as well as the buai buyers not to "agitate" the situation and respect the moves for this "shut-down" approach his command has taken.

Central police commander Laimo Asi says the death took place when a hired PMV bus got into an accident outside the Rouna 4 area.

Unfortunately, Asi could not provide additional details as his traffic officers are yet to finalise the initial site report.

The PPC only confirmed that the bus was on hire from a church group at the time of the incident.

Asi says the initial time of the incident was at 7pm but not much detail of the incident was given as yet to his office.

PPC Laimo Asi says he is taking measures to try to deal with the influx of buai traders into the province by enforcing a road block along the Laloki and Doah areas.

As of last Friday, police personnel at the road block have turned back trucks and bus loads of buai buyers, while allowing the trucks with sellers to go into the city to sell their buai.

Police have been stationed at the check points since Friday and will be there until such a time Asi says the issues associated with the buai trade are dealt with.

Central police commander Laimo Asi said the 35-year-old man has been on the run from police since the incident on April 7.

Police reported that the suspect, armed with a home-made gun, threatened the 13-year-old girl and assaulted her.

The incident took place at the victim’s home, which is on the outskirts of Gabagaba village.

PPC Asi says no motive has been established behind the attack, but police are working on leads to track down the man and bring him into custody.

This was done with the assistance from the Maopa Ward 3 LLG Councilor, Pere Enara.

Speaking at the market place, the team emphasised the respect of individuals to vote freely without being intimidated and undue influence by supporters from other candidates.

The team also told villagers that intending candidates should not campaign before the issuing of writs.

Central Province Sergeant, Lua Auri said those campaigning before the writs are issued will be arrested and charged under the Electoral Laws.

Acting Central provincial police commander (PPC), Andrew Tovere, told Loop PNG that after speaking with the Gabagaba (local spelling) villagers, they will go to Ginigolo.

“We are trying to come up with an understanding on how we can address their problem,” he said.

He confirmed that the fight stems from a land conflict.

“I’m with the Gabagaba community where we will talk with their leaders. Then we will go to the other party and meet with their leaders,” says the acting PPC.

Central Province Police Commander Laimo Asi tells PNG Loop that the deaths were reported at the 17-Mile picnic spot and along the Brown River area.

Asi says that two deaths were reported along the Brown river are, one on Friday and the other on Saturday.

Details into these deaths have yet to be confirmed.

At 17-Mile a man’s body was found at the picnic area which is now also being attended to by police.

Asi says the circumstances of the deaths have yet to be established adding that his CID officers should advise him by this afternoon.

Central Police Commander Laimo Asi says that the three men, two brothers from Efogi and one from Templeton will all be to be escorted to Efogi to flown over and be questioned into the incident that took place on Monday.

Asi says that the key suspect identified as Toksi Jacob from Efogi was the couple’s tour guide from Efogi to Templeton where he suspiciously refused to continue along the track with the two.

It was from there on Monday morning at around 7am that the two victims proceeded along the track and was attacked and assaulted.