Harmony chopper hijack suspects succumb to injuries

National, Normal
Source:

By YVONNE HAIP

ONE of the suspects who allegedly attempted to rob a gold exploration team and hijack its helicopter on June 4 in Western Highlands, died while in police custody last Wednesday.
The deceased was identified as Nickson Koi from Kindeng, Anglimp-South Waghi district.
Another suspect, Paraka Oki, from Baiyer district, also died while in police custody, days after the incident as a result of a bullet wound near his neck and ear.
They were part of the 14 armed men who were allegedly attacked and tried to rob Harmony Gold exploration team at Kotna in the Dei district.
The suspected gang of robbers shot at the helicopter, allegedly with high powered firearms as it was about to land, after receiving prior information that the exploration team was believed to be transporting a large amount of money.
Locals to the area, the Weli and Tepka tribesmen, after being alerted about the attack, chased after the fleeing suspects.
There was a also an exchange of gunfire, in which two locals received bullet wounds to their legs and were
admitted to the Mt Hagen General Hospital.
Six suspects were captured by the locals and handed over to police, while eight others escaped, are still at large.
According to provincial police commander Supt Kaiglo Ambane, Koi had sustained serious bush knife wounds during his recapture.
He said police were awaiting a full coroner’s report from the hospital to verify the cause of the death, but believed that it might have been caused by infections from the wounds.
He said Kindeng leaders had given their word that they would not take the law in to their own hands as a result of the incident.
Ambane also said the four other suspects were still in police custody awaiting their trials.