ENGA Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Chief Superintendent, Steven Harris has appealed to Makol and Makol Tap communities to remain clam and let the law take its course following three people were killed in Laiagam over the weekend.
PPC Harris acknowledges the lives lost in the Laiagam killings over the past two days and is taking this matter with the utmost seriousness.
Police alleged that on the evening of Saturday 06th June 2026, during a “bel-kol” compensation exchange ceremony in the Laiagam area, a dispute broke out between the two clans (Makol & Makol Tap/Yengulam) when intoxicated individuals interfered with the exchange. The receiving party, upon witnessing this, refused to accept the compensation and withdrew.
It was alleged that the receiving party (Makol Yengulam) withdrew and whilst on their way home, they opened fire claiming the lives of two innocent people.
It was further alleged that on Sunday morning 07th June 2026, a retaliatory attack was carried out in Laiagam, killing an innocent young boy who was attending school there — far from home and in the company of his mother. His body was received by his family and returned to his home district.
PPC Harris said that three innocent lives were lost and they are bystanders to a dispute they did not cause. He did not want to see further payback killings and let the law deal with it.
The PPC makes this appeal to all parties involved, their leaders, and all community members in the Laiagam and surrounding areas to stop payback killings. He said those people who have died were innocent and payback would only produce more innocent victims. It will not bring the dead back. It will not resolve the original dispute. It will only destroy more families.
“Police urge all suspects to surrender themselves to the nearest police post immediately and call on clan and community leaders to use their influence to bring perpetrators forward and preserve the peace.
“I am directing all clan leaders and community members in the affected areas that there will be no further payback. Anyone who takes the law into their own hands will be arrested and prosecuted. My officers are on the ground and will remain there.
“To those responsible for the killings to surrender yourselves to the police now. That is your only option. The law will take its course, and it will do so with or without your cooperation,” PPC Harris said, adding that he said those people who harbour the suspects or obstruct this investigation will also face the full force of the law.
PPC Harris said Enga do not need more bodies but needs people to stand down, hand over the suspects, and let justice be done the right way.
Police acknowledge the grief of all families affected. As both sides come together, clan and community leaders must use that moment to deescalate and not inflame. Restraint now will save lives. Further violence will only bring more arrests and more funerals.
“Police patrols and checkpoints are established throughout the affected areas whilst police investigations are active and ongoing,” PPC Harris said, adding that he said further updates would be provided as warranted.
PPC urged anyone with information to contact their nearest police station or the Enga Provincial Police Command directly to help police apprehend the suspects involved.
