Tuesday March 17, 2026
An adult male from Tari in Hela Province willingly surrendered a high-powered gun that he had in his possession while living in Port Moresby.
Robert Tebua, who resides in Hohola, was convinced by police officers from Hohola who were carrying out awareness on what the Police Minister, Sir John Pundari, wanted before the national election. Tebua was accompanied by Sergeant Max Etebe from Hohola Police Station to Boroko Police Station, where he surrendered the gun to Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Chief Superintendent Benjamin Turi at his office.
Turi, while receiving the gun, thanked Tebua for adhering to the awareness and media reports that were made when the illegal gun amnesty was launched in Enga.
“The illegal gun amnesty is not only for the Highlands Provinces, but it is a nationwide program. I want those in the National Capital District who are in possession of illegal firearms to visit my office and surrender them to me so I can provide records to the management. I am happy with the individual who came forward, and I want more to come and surrender their illegal firearms. If you want to keep a firearm, follow the process, get a license, and keep your firearm,” Turi said.
Turi, while acknowledging what the individual did, also praised his police officers for a great awareness program in the settlements. He said the police are now conducting awareness on the instructions that National Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent Warrick Simatab, Central Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Joseph Salle, and my office want in the command, which is in line with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary’s annual management plan. He stated that community policing is working well in the command, and police officers are encouraged to work closely with the public.
Turi also thanked Reservist Coordinator Chief Inspector Ruben Giusu and his members, who have been doing a great job assisting the regular members in the command. They have so far confiscated more than 300 knives and other offensive weapons found in the possession of individuals around the city.
He said the stop-and-search conducted by the police will continue until the date set when defective vehicle owners, drivers, and crews will be arrested and charged, and their vehicles impounded if they do not adhere to the awareness currently being carried out in the command. He added that so far, some positive results have been observed, and police station commanders are encouraged to continue this effort because it is their responsibility to arrest and charge traffic offenders.
