Clash between security guards results in razed houses and damaged vehicles

Story by ZACHERY PER
WORKERS from rival security firms have been involved in a series of running battles after one of them lost a contract at the Air Niugini terminal in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province.
In the latest clash, workers from Night Owl Security Services (NOSS), which lost the airport contract, tried to hang the brother of a security guard from a rival firm.
Only the intervention of NOSS Winchlee Oibotee saved the elderly man.
The rivalry has seen a number of homes torched in the remote Nambayufa village in Chuave district, Chimbu.
Angry relatives of the guards with NOSS retaliated after the driver of a Guard Dog Security vehicle crashed into the gates of the Goroka Air Niugini terminal and started attacking NOSS guards.
Several NOSS vehicles had their windscreens smashed by Guard Dog Security guards and their supporters.
Retaliatory action resulted in angry relatives of NOSS guards raiding the home of the driver of the Guard Dog vehicle.
When they did not find him, they kidnapped his brother and tried to hang him.
Villagers in Unggai, where the bulk of the NOSS guards came from, raided the neighbouring Nambayufa village, where the Guard Dog driver hailed from.
They burnt down houses and destroyed gardens and properties.
People from Nambayufa travelled to Goroka to confirm that houses and property had been destroyed.
Trouble started at around 7.30am last Saturday when there was a confrontation between NOSS and Maximum Security over the dumping of NOSS from the airport contract.
Oibotee said trouble started when a Guard Dog vehicle tried to run over NOSS guards.
“Between 15 and 20 Guard Dog guards climbed the terminal’s perimeter fence and started hurling missiles.
“Four of my vehicles were stoned and extensive damage was caused as a result.
“Guard Dog men also rushed in and attacked my guards.
“Twenty-one of them suffered serious injuries, with two hospitalised with head and spinal injuries,” Oibotee said.