‘Hooligans’ attack and rob newspaper photographer

National

THE National’s senior photographer, Ekar Keapu, was attacked and robbed yesterday by a group of youths, some armed with knives and other weapons, while covering the annual Trukai Fun Run in Port Moresby.
Keapu, 57, said the attack took place near the Holiday Inn traffic lights in Waigani while he was taking pictures of people walking in the early morning event.
“It’s sad that this year’s fun run was spoiled by some opportunists and hooligans,” Keapu, a 40-year veteran of the industry, said.
Keapuwas at the event with some family members when the incident took place at around 6am.
“I’ve covered the fun run over the years and this is the first time something like this has happened to me,” he said.
“My daughter Adrianna was also attacked by these people and my grandson Kim, who is seven years old, went missing in the crowd during the attack so I had to go looking for him.”
Keapu said in order for the event to be safer for the participants it needed to be held later in the morning.