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By JAMES APA GUMUNO
ELEVEN people have been detained by Mt Hagen police for questioning in
connection with the alleged killing of the deputy principal of Kandep
secondary school last week.
Mt Hagen police picked up the 11 suspects last Thursday and Friday in
Avi, Anglimp, Western Highland province, where the alleged killing took
place.
Deputy principal Andy Toaps was stabbed to death last Tuesday in Avi by
about 50 armed men.
Toaps was with seven other teachers and their families in a school truck
on their way to Lae when they were blocked by men in three vehicles who
were pursuing them.
The suspects shot the tyres of the school truck to disable it.
Toaps was allegedly stabbed a number of times as he stepped out of the
front cabin of the truck.
He was attacked in front of his wife and five children, who were with
the families of six other teachers in the back of the truck, which was
also loaded with vegetables.
Toaps died from loss of blood from multiple stab wounds.
Acting metropolitan commander Chief Inspector Peter Roari said the
suspects detained were from Enga and Western Highlands province.
He said the suspects were being kept at the Mt Hagen police station for
questioning.
They could face wilful murder and attempted murder charges.
Mr Roari said police also confiscated three vehicles allegedly used in
pursuing the victim and his party.
He added police believe that two prime suspects from Enga, who stabbed
Toaps, were still at large.
Mr Roari said police were seeking to establish the owners of the
vehicles allegedly used by the suspects.
 
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