Increase in abduction cases

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
POLICE are concerned about the increase in abduction cases reported around the country in the past three years.
Police Commissioner Gari Baki, pictured, said it rose from 66 in 2016 to 143 last year.
Apart from the National Capital District, there were cases reported in Enga, Western Highlands, Southern Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Madang, West Sepik, Morobe, Jiwaka, Chimbu, Manus, Northern, East and West New Britain.
Baki told The National that he was disclosing the figures so that people were aware of what was happening and take responsibility in addressing law and order issues in their communities.
Of the 66 cases reported in 2016, he said only 14 people had been arrested.
Of the 60 cases in 2017, only nine were arrested.
Of the 143 cases reported last year, only 23 suspects had been arrested so far.
Enga had 34 cases of abduction reported last year – the highest number in the country. But so far, only three persons had been arrested. There were 28 cases reported last year in Port Moresby but only eight suspects arrested.
Western Highlands had 23 cases of abduction reported with only six arrested. Southern Highlands had 19 cases but only one arrested.
There were nine reported in West Sepik with one arrested, seven in Eastern Highlands with two arrested, six in East New Britain but no arrests so far, five in Madang but no one arrested, three cases each in Morobe (one arrested) and Jiwaka (no arrest), two each in West New Britain (one arrested) and Northern (no arrest). There was one each in Chimbu and Manus with on arrest made yet.
In 2016 and 2017, police in Port Moresby received 31 and 24 reports respectively.
Last month, Hohola station commander Senior Inspector Benjamin Kua said two men travelling in a vehicle with different number plates on the front and back tried to abduct a woman.