Officer suspected of killing escapes

 A policeman from Southern Highlands wanted by police in Western Highlands in relation to the death of his brother-in-law allegedly escaped from the Mendi Police Station after two hours in custody last Friday.

Provincial police commander Supt Sibron Papoto told The National yesterday that Constable Francis Kongum, attached to the Ialibu Police Station, was wanted by the police internal investigation unit in Hagen in relation to the alleged murder of his brother in-law in 2013 at the Kimil village in the North Waghi district of Jiwaka.

Papoto said the policeman escaped from the Mendi station at around 5.40pm after an interview with the police investigators from Western Highlands.

He said the officer did not cooperate with police and resisted arrest on numerous occasions and had been on the run since 2013.

He said the officer surrendered to Mendi police last Friday at around 3.45pm and was accompanied by community leaders from Birop village in the Upper Mendi local level government council area.

Papoto said after less than two hours in police custody, the officer just disappeared from the police station. 

“I want to appeal to the community leaders in Upper Mendi to ensure that Kongum surrenders to the police,” he said.