A 28-year-old man from Ginigolo village in the Rigo district of Central province was allegedly killed point blank at the famous Gaire Fish Market between 7pm – 8pm last night.
Eye witnesses say the young man was killed by police. He was doing his usual business selling mustard when the incident happened.
Witnesses say the young man recognised a police officer when a police vehicle stopped to buy betelnut and ran over to speak with the officer. After talking with the officer, witnesses say he turned to walk away when the driver of the police vehicle shot the young man within range.
As soon as the shot was fired, the police vehicle sped off.
Witnesses took to social media with pictures of the young man after the shooting.
The body of the young man was removed from the road around 2am this morning.
Ward members from Gaire and Ginigolo and the surrounding villages sat with the villagers since the early hours of this morning demanding the presence of the Governor for Central Province, Robert Agarobe.
Governor Agarobe arrived in Gaire village at midday to address the disgruntled crowd.
Upon demands for justice and compensation from the family of the deceased, the Governor gave assurance that the unit responsible for the death was called in and are currently under investigation at the Gordons police station in Port Moresby.
Agarobe explained that the delay in his late arrival to the crime scene was due lack of information being passed on to him.
He has assured the people of Ginigolo and the Central Province that he will make sure justice is served.
Governor Agarobe added that Central provincial government will take care of all funeral expenses. He gave K20,000 to the family of Billy Iru, the deceased.
Governor also gave K10,000 to the committee and ward and called on the people to remove the block.
