Gang leader attacked after foiled armed robbery

By JAMES GUMUNO
A gang leader is fighting for his life in Hela after being attacked by relatives of members of his own gang.
The gang members were arrested by soldiers at Ambua Gap in Tari last Friday.
Hela provincial police commander Martin Lakari said yesterday that the gang leader was attacked after a foiled armed robbery.
Lakari said gang members set up an illegal roadblock at Ambua last Friday morning, and while in the process of robbing passengers on a vehicle, were caught red-handed by soldiers.
He said the leader, who was armed with an AR 15 rifle, escaped into the bush while his 12 gang members were arrested.
Angry relatives went after the leader, spotted him on Saturday, and attacked him with bush knives and axes.
Lakari said he was badly wounded and taken to Tigibi Health Centre and admitted to the intensive care unit guarded security forces.
He said the other gang members locked up in Tari police cell were charged yesterday and would appear in court today.
Lakari said they were charged with armed robbery and illegal roadblock.
He said all the accused were from Ambua and not from other villages, as previously believed.
“We now know that people living at Ambua have been carrying out criminal activities along the road at Ambua Gap,” Lakari said.