National security at risk

THE escape of 12 dangerous prisoners is now a national security issue.
The National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC) summoned Correctional Services Commissioner Richard Sikani to brief them after lunch yesterday on the escape.
NSAC chairman and Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenouc was recalled from Lae, where he is attending the Lutheran church synod, to attend to this issue.
The NSAC will be conducting a full meeting today to address the break-out of some of the worst criminals in the country.
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has been informed, Correctional Service Minister Tony Aimo, who is away in his Ambunti-Drekikier electoral for electoral duties, is also believed to have been briefed and will be returning to Port Moresby to take charge of the situation.
Mr Sikani said yesterday that the NSAC would be conducting its own independent investigations into the great escape.
He said the Correctional Service would be conducting its own investigations in what he called a “highly suspicious” escape where all security procedures at the maximum security unit at Bomana were breached.
Business houses have been warned to take extra security measures in light of the escape of the country’s top criminals.