Family prefers justice over revenge, compensation

 By TONY PALME KIP

FAMILY members of four brothersbrutally killed in a group attack in Wabag, Enga, have said no to compensation and revenge.

All they want is justice.

The Ekeram family of the Pepkin-Maluiyan clan of the Sikira-Apulin tribe in Wabag town has supported police to arrest and charge the group of gunmen and their accomplices who allegedly shot and slashed brothers Koni and Danny Ekeram and their two cousins Rasak Sakatao and Alu Siki at Aipus Station.

Kapilin Ekeram, older brother of the murdered Ekerams, told The National yesterday that they wanted to set a precedent in Enga and the country by discouraging compensation and revenge but let the law take its course to solve problems.

Kapilin Ekeram provided an account of the killings at around 2am. 

A group of masked men armed with guns and bush knives arrived in a 15-seater bus and a 10-seater four-wheel drive and surrounded the houses that the four brothers slept in with their families.

“They shot and slashed the four brothers,” Kapilin said.

“The brothers all died on the spot and their families were in critical condition in the hospital in Wabag.”

Kapilan said the attackers were known and they had enemies in other clans but attacked an innocent clan which had earlier assisted in the peace process.

The families of the deceased have petitioned the Enga provincial government and responsible authorities to pass a provincial executive council resolution to stop compensation and let police take the lead in apprehending the suspects.

Kapilin and the families have appealed to the neighbouring tribes not to accommodate or harbour the culprits but act as informers in bringing them to justice.

Wabag police station commander Epenas Nili said the Ekeram family was setting a precedent by not taking the law into their hands.

“It is a first of its kind for people to leave an incident of such magnitude in the hands of police,” Nili said.

“Police really appreciate what this family is doing and I have sent both my men and informers wide and far to apprehend these suspects.”

He urged the people to help police hand the suspects.