THE owner of Malolo In, MNM Investment limited including community leaders in Jiwaka province have voluntarily surrendered six (6) illegal firearms and ammunition including a live hand grenade to the State yesterday Tuesday 11th August 2026.
The surrender of illegal firearms, ammunition and grenade occurred following the Operation Kumul Peace awareness aimed at surrendering illegal firearms and ammunition was conducted in various parts of the province after the Operation Kumul Peace program was officially launched by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Highlands Eastern End Command, Clement Dalla in July, 2026.
Jiwaka Provincial Police Commander (PPC), acting Superintendent Laimo Asi said he was confident that more people in the province would be coming forward to surrender illegal firearms as awareness program is still continuing.
PPC Asi has encouraged the people of Jiwaka to stand up against this evil of keeping illegal firearms in their possession because it would one day kill them and their own families, people or put them to jail unnecessarily. He said surrendering the illegal firearms would also give them confidence to go into free, fair and safe 2027 national general election.
PPC Asi said the Operation Kumul Peace awareness on Illegal firearm surrender and ammunition amnesty which commenced on Monday 27th July 2026 is progressing well in the province. He said the awareness was drawn up in three phases.
The phase one was community engagement (awareness program) from Monday 27th July to 15th August 2026. The phase two is on illegal firearm surrender from the 16th to 31st August 2026.
The phase three (3) is on enforcement of the law and this is a final phase where further police/army (Kumul 23) currently operating in the upper end of the Highlands will be required to move in and enforce the Terrorism Act and hunt for the illegal firearms and ammunition in Jiwaka province.
PPC Asi confirmed that phase one of the Operation Kumul Peace Awareness has been carried out by the police officers in three zones of Jiwaka Province.
- Zone 1 – North Waghi and Jimi districts.
- Zone 2- Anglimp Kuli Kuli and Kudjip llgs
- Zone 3- Minj and east Kambia llgs.
“We have so far targeted the Local Level Government (LLG) Presidents and Ward councillor with the the community leaders where the awareness conducted was on the effects of holding onto the illegal firearm in their possession in the communities and their legal implications.
“The main agenda is violence and destruction among the family units, community disturbances and tribal fights where innocent lives are lost,” PPC Asi said.
PPC said the illegal firearms are used by criminals to commit violent crimes against the innocent members of the public, business community and the travelling public along the highway and police believed the awareness had reached all corners of Jiwaka province.
PPC Asi was convinced that the illegal firearms and ammunition amnesty awareness and surrender program would be successful for the people of Jiwaka.
