PNG Leader Calls for Unity in Prayer Ahead of 50th Independence

Papua New Guinea police have launched an investigation following the discovery of a Nigerian asylum seeker who died in her room at a Port Moresby lodge. The woman, who had been in the country for the past seven years, was found after being deceased for several days.

 PNG Police Investigate Death of Nigerian Asylum Seeker in Port Moresby lodge

Refugees at the lodge described deep sadness over her passing, noting that she was the only woman among them and had no family in the country to support her.

Chief Migration Officer Wellington Navasivu confirmed that Immigration was notified of the death on Monday afternoon. He explained that the woman had moved to the lodge on July 1 on her own choice, after previously residing elsewhere.

Mr. Navasivu said that asylum seekers and refugees at the lodge had obtained a court order preventing Immigration from relocating them to independent accommodation facilities. As a result, Immigration was restricted from providing assistance to her at the lodge.

Figures from Asylum Insight show that by the end of 2024, about 64 asylum seekers and refugees remained in PNG under the regional resettlement arrangement with Australia, while more than 470 were resettled in countries such as the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Since 2021, PNG has taken full responsibility for those still in the country with funding support from Australia.

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PNG Leader Calls for Unity in Prayer Ahead of 50th Independence