A joint security operation continues across Enga Province targeting illegal firearms and violent offenders despite being ambushed in Murip Junction Bridge.
The security personal from members of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) with the support from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) continues the effort in Enga.
Enga Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Superintendent, Steven Harris said the security forces will deal with armed criminals anytime at anyplace without fear or favour.
He said on Monday April 06 at Murip Village, the PNGDF personnel encountered a group of young men armed with homemade firearms and a modified bow and arrow. He said one homemade firearm and ammunition were seized, and one offender was handed over to the police as well.
PPC said as the security personnel withdrew from the area, they were ambushed approximately 300 metres from the capture site near Murip Junction Bridge. The armed offenders opened fire from the ambush site before security forces returned fire to suppress the attackers but there were no injuries to state security personnel.
PPC Harris said the incident shows the level of criminal behaviour now being seen from armed offenders.
“If you ambush police or soldiers, if you carry illegal guns, if you threaten the public, you are a criminal. We will treat you like criminals and we will hunt you down,” PPC Harris said.
Chief Superintendent Harris also confirmed a separate incident at Surunki last Thursday when police moved into arrest a group of approximately 10 to 12 males who were making smoke signals to begin a tribal fight. The group fled the scene and open fired when police including PPC arrived at the area. The Police then fired back and the offenders scattered.
PPC Harris further confirmed that in another separate incident last Tuesday at Porgera, two men who fired upon Papua New Guinea Defence Force personnel were shot and killed.
“This is not a game. If you fire at the State security forces, you are putting your life at risk: some of you want to find out the hard way.
These incidents reinforce his earlier public comments that most people carrying firearms are not warriors. “Most of these men with guns are not warriors. They are not fighting for anything. They are just criminals with guns who terrorise their own people.”
“Let me be very clear, any time, any place, if you carry illegal firearms or use weapons to threaten people, we will come for you. We are not scared, we are not angry, but we are coming for you, and we will enforce the law fearlessly,” PPC Harris said.
PPC Harris said the joint operations will continue across Enga Province targeting illegal firearms, violent offenders, and those involved in criminal violence and tribal fighting. He said that anyone harbouring armed offenders or illegal firearms will also be arrested.
PPC urged everyone to surrender illegal firearms now. He said if they do not surrender them, police will find them during the operations.
Ends.
