N’dranou praises WNB police for effective work

A senior officer has applauded police in West New Britain after they arrested eight suspects for being in possession of illegal firearms last Sunday at Waganakai village in Talasea.
Asst Comm/ACP of Police New Guinea Islands (NGI) Perou N’dranou said: “This operation was timely, especially during this election period as police personnel now have a prime goal of delivering a free, fair and safe election.”
It was alleged that the suspects, aged between 15 and 29 from Rongo clan, were part of a gang that had allegedly murdered a youth from another clan using an colt rifle earlier this year.
As a result, tensions arose between clans and the villages.
In April, a family home belonging to one of the suspects (now deceased) was allegedly burnt by a rival clan where parts of the alleged colt rifle was found.
The gang, however, refused to surrender to police and were on the run, torching houses and threatening the livelihood of neighbouring villages using firearms.
The community leaders then approached provincial police commander Chief Insp John Iara and requested for police to intervene.
Just two weeks ago, Iara issued a directive to the Mobile Squad 18 members to conduct a special operation to arrest the suspects and retrieve the weapons.
After gathering information, the Mobile Squad 18 obtained a search warrant and carried out an operation into the village.
The suspects exchanged a couple of shots with the police but were unsuccessful.
Police shot dead a member of the gang, wounded four and arrested three others who received minor injuries.
In addition, a member of the Mobile Squad 18 was shot in the chest during the operation and was rushed to the Kimbe General Hospital where he was recovering.
Police retrieved three firearms, one factory-made and two homemade guns while two other factory made guns were not retrieved because police retreated after their colleague was shot.
Seven members of the gang were now in custody and would be investigated for murder, arson and for being in possession of illegal firearms.
“I want to assure my NGI people that despite the election period, your safety and security is paramount to us,” N’dranou said.