Police charge three seamen with fellow crew’s murder

POLICE in Morobe have arrested three men in relation to the killing of a seaman in Lae last month, acting commander Chief Insp John Daviaga says.
He said the three suspects arrested were the colleagues of the deceased man.
“They were all arrested and charged with murder since last month,” Chief Insp Daviaga said.
“They appeared before court and are now remanded at Buimo jail.”
He said police and National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) were carrying out separate investigations into the incident.
Chief Insp Daviaga said more arrests could be made of other crew members of the ship as the investigation progressed.
He said police alleged that the crew on the ship may had been involved in drug smuggling between Lae and the New Guinea Islands provinces.
“Police believe that the deceased crew member must have tried to report the drug smuggling activity when he was murdered,” Chief Insp Daviaga said.
In another incident over the weekend at Tanam, outside Lae, a young father of three, allegedly committed suicide after having an argument with his wife.
Chief Daviaga said the man killed himself after his wife, of East New Britain and Milne Bay, tried to take the children and leave him. He said the man’s body was taken to Angau Memorial Hospital morgue and police were investigating the death.
Meanwhile, seven people from Akuange village in Menyamya were arrested and locked up at Bulolo Police Station after allegedly killing a man who was believed to be their relative.
One suspect escaped to West New Britain and Lae police were liaising with WNB police to have him arrested and sent back to Lae.
In other news, a man from Goilala, Central, was allegedly killed by his friend on Monday in Wau after an argument during a drinking session.
The incident happened at Sawdust Junction between 5.30pm and 6pm.
The suspect allegedly stabbed the victim twice in the back and is now in police custody.