Five Members of Criminal Gang Killed by Vigilant Locals in PNG's Goilala
Five members of a criminal gang responsible for hurling a grenade that killed two men in Goilala, PNG's central province were ambushed and killed in a retaliatory attack in December, PNG Police say.
Acting Provincal Police Commander of Central Province Senior Inspector Patterson Birigi said the five suspects were slain by angry relatives of the bomb victims, who went after and found them holed up in a remote village in Fane LLG.
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| Members of the PNG Police in Goilala [Photo supplied] |
The gang led by a renowned criminal identified as Awa Pilot were responsible for various other crimes around the Tolokuma area until they met their fate, acting PPC Birigi said.
He said since the closure of the Tolokuma mine in 2017, the neighbouring communities lived in fear because of the menace and terror imposed on them by the Pilot gang.
The acting PPC said when reports of the bomb attack reached Port Moresby, a composite team comprised of Central Police, the SSD and CID personnel were deployed into Tolokuma to investigate the killings, but the vigilant villagers had gotten to them first before the police arrived.
The villagers had raided a village and killed Pilot and his four accomplices.
Mr Birigi said the police deployment was initially hampered by Goilala's tough geographical settings especially the rugged terrains, but the policemen managed to walk to some of the far flung village communities and spoke to them about the importance of law and order.
He said the police team was extracted back into Port Moresby and on 19th of January, five police officers from Central were shuttled by helicopter into the mine site to provide police presence there.
Upon their arrival, the policemen met with the Guard Dog security officials who briefed them on the law and order situation at the mine site and the surrounding villages.
With the information provided, the police officers went out to the villages to conduct more awareness on law and order issues.
The policemen also told the people about the developments happening back in the city.
They also met with the youths and informed them about the newly amended laws, more particularly the new Dangerous Drug Act, which stipulates harsher penalties for offenders.
While interacting with the community the police officers received some vital information that led them to a notorious criminal linked to the Pilot gang.
The police officers were quick to respond to the information provided and walked to a location away from the mine and apprehended the suspect.
The suspect was apprehended, flown back into Port Moresby and referred to the CID.
Police Media / PNG Today
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