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 A senior police officer with the National Capital District (NCD) police has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder following a deadly eviction incident at the Morobe block in 9-Mile, Port Moresby. Chief Inspector Tap Opai was formally interviewed by the Homicide Squad at Boroko Police Station on Wednesday in relation to the September 19, 2024, eviction that resulted in two deaths, several injuries, and significant damage to property.

Assistant Commissioner of Police for NCD and Central Command, Benjamine Turi

Assistant Commissioner of Police for NCD and Central Command, Benjamine Turi, confirmed that the eviction was conducted without proper legal authority. He stressed that police officers must follow lawful procedures when executing court orders. “Court orders must be issued by the District, National, or Supreme Court before police can act. This is an example of officers failing to follow simple instructions,” he said.

Commander Turi expressed regret over the lengthy delay in investigating the incident, attributing it to police negligence. The arrest comes after more than seven months of little progress in the case. He assured the grieving families and the broader community that further investigations will continue to identify and hold accountable any other officers involved.

In addition to promising justice for the victims, Turi also took the opportunity to remind the public of the proper legal processes for evictions. He emphasized the importance of respecting the rule of law to prevent unnecessary loss of life and destruction, and reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

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