Policeman wounded in shootout

A policeman attached with the Northern Mobile Group headquarters in Lae was shot and wounded by armed criminals on Monday 19, December.

The incident happened at Asas One Lane Bridge along the Bruce Jepchot Highway in Ramu, Madang Province. 

Assistant Commissioner of Police Northern Command, Peter Guinness confirmed that one of the armed criminals was killed during the shootout while the others sustained injuries. 

ACP Guinness said that the police officers from Northern Mobile Group headquarters and the MS 13 officers were travelling in a convoy to Madang when the incident happened. 

He said the police officers when approaching the Asas One Lane Bridge saw the armed men block off a portion of the road and were collecting money from vehicles. 
The police officer, who was on the second vehicle got out and walked towards the men, the criminals took off towards the riverbank and into the bushes. 

The policeman was shot when pursing the criminals.

"When the police officers who were on the other vehicles heard the gun shot and ran after the armed criminals. Several shots were fired where one armed criminal was shot dead while others were wounded,” said police.

ACP Guinness said they contacted Manalos Aviation in Lae who assisted to airlift the wounded officer to ANGAU Hospital. 

"I want to call on the people of Madang to refrain from setting up road blocks pretending to fix the potholes and rob people. I had travelled along the North and South Coast Roads and had seen these from youths and even adults,” he said.

“The roads are public roads and there are people who are tasked to do that. If you want to help fill up the potholes then do it without asking for money. 

The incident is currently under investigation. 

Author: 
Sylvester Wemuru