Kokopo Crisis

Caught in the middle of a cataclysmic event, the 34 students from Tabubil, Daru and Oksapmim, Telefomin were forced to take refuge at the Takubar Isolation Centre before being repatriated.

First-year Business Studies student, Hannah Hagoba described the experience as frightening as they were forced out of the school for their own safety.

“As we boarded the OTML Charter, I felt a sense of relief knowing we were okay now,’ she said.

The Central Provincial Government has included students residing in NCD and those from Motu-Koita.

The students made the call to the Governor for Central Province, amidst the current tension brought about by the senseless killing of bank employee, the late Jonathon Kiap.

They asked to return home after three youths were also killed at the college, allegedly by those seeking revenge over late Kiap’s death. ENB Provincial Police Commander Joseph Tabali has called on eye witnesses to come forward and give statements regarding these deaths.