A quick police response has resulted in the apprehension of a murder suspect who allegedly murdered a deceased, Lora Wanpis, at Rimbita village yesterday (Sunday 01st June 2025) at around 1:00 am in the morning.
Southern Highlands Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent, Epenes Nili said the police were quick enough to intervene in the situation from further escalation and is under control. He said police are now closely monitoring the area as the situation is still at tense.
PPC Nili said that the suspect and the deceased were drinking alcohol along the Gulf-Southern Highlands Highway, and they went into the suspect’s house where they had an argument.
Superintendent, Nili said whilst in the process of argument, the suspect hit the deceased with the hammer on the head and the deceased collapsed and died on the spot in the dwelling house.
PPC Nili confirmed that the suspect was a 38-year-old male from Rimbita whilst the 28-year-old male deceased was from Kala villages respectively in the Kagua Erave District, Southern Highlands Province.
PPC Nili said the matter was reported to the police the same day where they quickly attended the scene and apprehended the suspect. The suspect is now detained at the police cells.
Mr Nili said the body of the deceased was transported to the Mt Hagen General Hospital morgue yesterday at around 1pm for post-mortem.
PPC Nili has issued strong warnings to the relatives of the deceased and the suspect not to take law into their own hands as the matter is in the hands of police. He advised both sides to maintain peace and bring forward eyewitnesses to assist police with their investigation.
The alleged murder suspet is being handed over to the police infront of the community memebrs.
The mothers mourn for deceased whilst the deceased was lying on the ground.