‘Help us find 16 escapees’

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
MEMBERS of the public have been requested to keep a lookout for the 16 escapees from Bomana Prison on the run, especially one on death row, one on life sentence and one convicted of aggravated robbery.
The other 13 are detainees awaiting their court cases in prison, according to Correctional Service Commissioner Stephen Pokanis.
He said they needed the assistance of the people in the National Capital District, Central and Gulf to keep a lookout for the 16 who escaped last Thursday, Aug 26.
The 17th escapee was recaptured on the same day.
“All escapees are dangerous and if sighted must be reported to the nearest police station,” Comm Pokanis said.
Pokanis yesterday provided the mugshots of eight of the sixteen escapees.
Imex Goasa of Gomumu village in Rai Coast, Madang is on death row, being one of eight men convicted in 2018 of sorcery-related killings in Madang.
Russel Tom of Gulf is on life sentence for killing his cousin brother in 2018 at the Koki Fish Market in Port Moresby.
Charlton Erick of Butibum, Morobe is serving a 15-year jail term for aggravated robbery.
Joel Taha Ruana of Central is awaiting court over his involvement in a 2016 airline robbery.
He escaped last year but was recaptured in January this year.
Nathan Epe is awaiting trial for armed robbery and attempted murder in 2017.
He escaped but was recaptured by police on Jan 15, 2019.
The other detainees are Berry Karulaka, Bonny Walken, Henry Rodney Haoda, Brain Darius, Honiara Amenai, Walter Able, Asigau Tau Rakatani, Junior Paul, Max Meakoro Avia, Joseph Samuel, and Lalai Numai.