Police in East Sepik have arrested four suspects who were allegedly involved in the murder of four people from Haripmo village in East Yangoru, East Sepik Province, on Tuesday.
East Sepik Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Christopher Tamari confirmed that the four males are now detained at the Wewak Police Station to be investigated and charged accordingly. He said other suspects who have been identified by the public are on the run but will be arrested soon.
PPC Tamari said the four who were murdered were from Haripmo village and were killed on three different dates. He said the last two murders, which occurred on Tuesday, were in retaliation for the first two murders that happened on Thursday and Friday of last week.
He said, according to a brief provided to police, the first two murder cases were attended to by officers, and police were in the process of arresting the suspects when the retaliatory murders happened on Tuesday.
”The double murder that happened on Tuesday was in retaliation for the second murder that happened on Friday. Relatives of the deceased from Kumbuhun village in West Yangoru joined the people of Haripmo and assisted in killing the two brothers on Tuesday.
He said the police were quick to respond and blocked off the suspects, who were on foot trying to escape from Haripmo to Kumbuhun. When police approached, the suspects left their weapons and escaped with their guns into the bush.
“My officers are now at Haripmo investigating the matter. The cause of the killings is yet to be established as the police investigation is underway. I want all leaders to assist the police in the investigation to put all those involved behind bars,” Tamari said.