Detective missing in Ramu boat mishap

By JAYNE SAFIHAO
A MADANG-based detective has been declared missing since last week Friday after a boating mishap on the Ramu River.
Detective Sgt Nagi Maiak, in his mid 50s, was leading a team of six policemen to settle disputes in the wards 10 and 15 areas of Arabaka local level government when the boat capsized after hitting a submerged log.
The fast-flowing murky Ramu River is littered with logs many of which are submerged with mangled roots and trunks protruding out of the water, posing a major hazard for boat operators and passengers.
Sgt Maiak and the six men, plus three other detectives and three public safety officers were travelling down Nodubu and Kwanga when the incident occurred at Wara Laplap.
Provincial police commander Anthony Wagambie Jr confirmed the incident yesterday, adding a preliminary search had been underway but with no results.
Wagambie said the men were attending to a sorcery-related killing incident of a school teacher a year ago at the Kumnimo Primary school which they were investigating.
He confirmed that the dinghy overturned and when everyone swam ashore, Sgt Maiak was missing.
A police helicopter was being used in the search.