Hela Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Inspector, Arau Mairi has confirmed that police have arrested the male student who allegedly attached the grade 12 examination invigilator at Komo Mandi Secondary School, Komo District, on Wednesday, 14th October 2026 at approximately 9:15am.
PPC Mairi said that the suspect is now in Tari Police Cell. He said the matter was handed over to the police Criminal Investigation Division (CID) for processing and formal charges to follow. The suspect is from Apono village in Aiyapuka Local Level Government (LLG) in the Hela province.
PPC Mairi said the victim, Mr Virgil Verave, a teacher attached to the Catholic Arch Diocese Education Division, was deployed to Komo Mandi Secondary School, (a Catholic run school) to invigilate the ongoing Grade 12 National Examinations when he was attacked.
Police alleged that during the examination, Mr Verave allegedly discovered students cheating by offering cash bribes in exchange for examination answers. When the cheating was exposed, a student, (name withheld) who was the current SRC President of the school, allegedly took a bush knife, chased the teacher out of the classroom onto the school grounds, and slashed him on the head, hands, and calf muscles.
PPC Mairi said Mr Verave of Gabone village in Rigo District in the Central Province sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Tari Hospital for urgent medical attention. He said the victim’s condition is being monitored at the moment.
The Hela Provincial Police Commander strongly condemns this attack. Teachers and examination invigilators are performing a national duty to protect the integrity of our education system. Any attack on them is an attack on the future of our children and will not be tolerated.
