In her hospital bed at Port Moresby’s Pacific International Hospital, a young woman said she forgave the man who shot her.
Velma Ninjipa and her dad were travelling back after a youth camp on the night of Good Friday, March 30th, when they were attacked in an attempted carjacking at the Winzu Lodge carpark, Boroko.
While her father escaped without any serious injuries, Velma was shot in the face and now remains in critical condition at PIH.
She has a broken jaw and shattered teeth.
The 34-year-old Southern Highlands woman has undergone her first facial surgery from which two pellets were removed from her right cheek.
“I forgive the guy who shot me and pray that he does not do this to someone else,” said the brave Ialibu woman.
However, her father, Wane Ninjipa, is calling on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Minister for Police Jelta Wong and other leaders to secure this city for its residents before APEC.
“This attack on my daughter and I was not out on the streets but rather in the parking lot of a motel, which is supposed to be a secure place.
“I don’t want another father and daughter to go through what we did. If this city is not safe for its residents, it’s definitely not safe for APEC.”
Meantime, Velma will have to go through another surgery in a couple of days to remove the four remaining pellets and her shattered teeth.
(Picture: Velma Ninjipa Facebook page)