Men killed in tribal feud

FOUR men were shot and killed in an ongoing tribal feud between Pepet and Waiban clans just 15km outside of Enga’s Wabag town on Thursday (Jan 23).
Nine women and children were also injured when they were slashed with bush knives by the armed Waiban assailants.
Enga acting police commander Supt Epenes Nili said three men were shot dead on the spot and a fourth victim was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
“The victim who died on arrival in hospital was trying to flee by crossing a river but he collapsed,” he said.
“He was rushed to hospital by his clansmen.” Supt Nili said the fighting started about 2pm when the Pepet’s village was raided by the Waibans that resulted in the killings and the wounding of women and children.
“I have told the warring clans to surrender to the police and identify the suspects involved in the killing and wounding.
“There is also a preventive order in place to stop the fighting but the clansmen and villagers continue to wage battles with each other, killing like nobody’s business.
“I have also warned the Waiban clan not to take the law into their own hands and that they must help police to negotiate for peace,” he added.
Supt Nili said the fightings started in 2013 and that the clashes had continued unabated despite a negotiated ceasefire.