Alleged robbers killed during shoot-out in logging camp

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
TWO robbers were killed in a shoot-out with police following a hold-up in a logging camp in New Ireland’s Namatanai on June 30.
Three others, two injured, were also captured in the gunfight.
During the robbery, a police-issued Armsco pistol was used and two expatriates were seriously slashed by the armed robbers.
New Ireland commander Chief Insp Felix Nebanat said police intercepted the fleeing robbers on July 1 in the jungle where the shoot-out occurred. He said police recovered the police-issued pistol, a revolver, five homemade firearms, one kitchen knife, 11 9mm rounds of ammunition, seven 12 gauge cartridges and three 5.6mm ammunition and the loot that included a laptop, tablets, hand phones and K10,000.
Chief Insp Nebanat said the gang was not from New Ireland but had come to carry out the robbery.
“The robbers are from East New Britain (ENB), Northern and West New Britain (WNB),” he said.
“They came with the sole purpose of attacking the camp and getting the royalty payments of nearly K10,000.
“The two shot dead are from ENB, the two injured are from Northern and WNB, and the gang leader is unknown at this stage.”
Chief Insp Nebanat said the robbery showed that the borders were not protected and that there was a need to set up a proper security post to monitor movement.
He said the attack on the expatriates occurred between 7am and 8am.
“Both expatriates were slashed on their thighs and back and have been admitted to hospital,” he added.
The robbers were trying to leave Namatanai town after stealing a vehicle but ran into a police team that was hunting for them.
“They were trying to leave by boat when the Kokopo policemen arrived ashore and the robbers fled into the jungle,” Chief Insp Nebanat said.
He added that the three captured were being interrogated to help with the investigations.