Anthony Wagambie Jnr

When giving an update of the NCD/Central state of emergency (SOE) operations, Commander Anthony Wagambie Jnr said allegations have been raised against certain members of the Constabulary for extortion and unethical conduct during the SOE period.

In a statement, acting Assistant Commissioner of Police and Divisional Commander NCD-Central, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, said: “We have seen a remarkable improvement in frontline policing, especially with regard to teamwork and coordination involving the support of our K9 Units and Mobile Squads. This has eased the burden on our suburban police stations, enabling them to attend to complaints at the counter.

“We also have the three NCD Zone Commanders and their Station Commanders planning and executing mini operations within their areas of operations.

Several armed criminals stormed into the mini mart on Thursday between 11am and 12pm, where they allegedly stabbed a Bangladeshi in the neck. According to police reports, the Asian man succumbed to his injuries after he was rushed to a private hospital.

Guards manning the premises retaliated after the stabbing incident and managed to apprehend two of the suspects.

This was the reminder issued to all police personnel by acting NCD-Central Commander, Anthony Wagambie Jnr.

“There been so much mud-slinging at Police in recent times,” he stated.

“I want to remind all members of the Constabulary that we are members of a Royal institution.

“We have sworn an oath to protect and preserve justice for our people.

NCD-Central Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, said some parts of the nation’s capital have recently experienced ongoing fighting and drunken brawls, prompting police to intervene to quell the situation.

While appealing to city residents to drink and behave responsibly, the Commander said over the past three weeks, a number of fights were reported in the ATS settlement, Two-Mile Hill, June Valley and Nine-Mile, but quick police action prevented these fights from escalating.

Between 4.30 and 5pm, three armed men attempted to hold up a fifth element Hilux with its occupants, but failed and ran back towards the settlement.

Zones Response Unit 300 was on routine patrol around the area when they were alerted by members of the public.

They gave chase on foot, managing to shoot one of the suspects armed with a homemade gun. The other two suspects managed to escape.

That same day, police report that occupants of a Nissan Navara were held up at Malolo Estate at Eight-Mile at about 5pm.

Acting Assistant Commissioner and Commander NCD-Central, Anthony Wagambie Junior, said four gunmen posing as customers forced their way into the shop when the security steel door was opened by an employee, held up the Asian manager and stole the cash and a Sig Sauer automatic pistol kept in a drawer inside the shop.

Acting ACP Wagambie Jnr said the firearm theft is worrying and police are now working around the clock to identify the suspects and recover the weapon.

Anthony Wagambie Jnr said this event marks their efforts in taking back command and control and restoring the Royal PNG Constabulary’s lost pride.

Since the announcement of his acting appointment as the NCD-Central commander, the former Lae metropolitan superintendent is already creating a ripple in his division.

Police had received information of suspicious looking individuals in a white sedan frequenting the Westpac Waigani branch.

Police report that an NCD Zone 3 Response Unit went to check the area when they noticed a suspect who was outside the vehicle.

“When he saw Police approaching he attempted to run away when a member of the Zones Response Unit chased him down and apprehended him while the other members in the Police vehicle gave chase to the white sedan, which sped off,” said acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) for NCD/Central, Anthony Wagambie Jnr.

He was part of a four-man gang that held up occupants of a vehicle between 9.30am and 10am today.

Police report that the four men were on foot when they held up the unsuspecting occupants of the vehicle, where it was driven off to Ensisi Valley.

A member of the public called the NCD Toll Free number, reporting seeing four youths acting suspiciously in a parked vehicle.

“The vehicle had been driven along a street at Ensisi Valley and stopped at the dead end,” said acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) for NCD/Central, Anthony Wagambie Jnr.