Abau youths surrender firearms to end life of crime

By ANTOINETTE POIVI
YOUTHS from Upulima in Abau surrendered firearms to end criminal activities in the area.
Upulima Police Station second-in-charge Sgt Sabila Haono said the youths had surrendered their firearms and cylinders used to make homebrew.
“The firearms will be left in the police station and senior police officers from Port Moresby will come and take them away.
“I cannot destroy the firearms until such a time when they will come and witness and decide where they go.”
Interim police commander for NCD and Central Peter Guinness and director of Community Policing Chief Supt Sibron Papoto who were supposed to receive the firearms and cylinders did not turn up.
Haono said the firearms were used by the youths during armed robberies along the Magi Highway, in the rubber plantations and in villages.
“This surrender came about when a man was accused of using sorcery to kill a youth in the village last month that led to a big fight and people being injured.
“The matter is still under investigation,” he added.
Youth coordinator Sibi Hawaya said he respected the efforts of the youths and urged them to change for the better.