HELA Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Inspector Arau Mairi has commended
his police officers and members of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF)
for their swift response to a wilful murder reported on Saturday 07 th November 2026
at Pureni village, South Koroba LLG, Koroba Kopiago, Hela Province.
PPC Mairi said the police and PNGDF force personnel quickly responded to the
murder of a 28 year old, Rex Ipaya of Magara ward in South Koroba, Koroba
Kopiago Local Level Government (LLG) in the Hela province.
PPC said following his murder, police and PNGDF personnel and PPC himself have
given a 48-hours to a ward Councilor and the community leaders to surrender the
murder suspects where eleven (11) suspects were brought in early this morning and
formally handed over to the police.
PPC said the suspects are now in the police custody and would be charged
accordingly, thus the reason of the murder is unknown at this stage. He said the
police Criminal Investigation Division members have collected necessary
statements from the witnesses to establish the cause of the murder.
Police alleged that between 3am and 4pm, the deceased and his tribesmen were
returning to their village from a funeral service when attacked by a group of known
suspects.
It was also alleged that the suspects monitored the deceased to kill him. The
suspects armed with bush knives and waited the deceased at the scene and
slaughtered him all over his head. They also cut his legs and arms when he was
helpless leading to his death. The deceased’s body was transported to Tari hospital
Morgue.
“I commend the community leaders for remaining on the ground throughout the day
and into the night to ensure the successful surrender of the suspects this morning.
“This is a fourth murder case reported in the Hela province since the Gun Surrender
Program began where communities have cooperated in handing over the suspects
instead of resorting to revenge killings and tribal violence,” PPC Mairi said.
PPC said the gun surrender is not just about removing the illegal firearms but it is
also about changing the mindsets and restoring respect for the rule of law. He said
those accused of crimes must face justice, not payback killings or tribal retaliation.
PPC thanked the community leaders for working with the police to ensure all the
suspects were brought to the police, noting that peace requires collective
responsibility and the courage to reject revenge.
“Our people increasingly choosing the rule of law over tribal violence and that is how
lasting peace is built in Hela,” PPC said.
