Police shot dead man who kidnapped 20-year-old woman

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
A man who kidnapped and held a 20-year-old woman against her will two weeks ago was shot dead by police while trying to escape.
Porum Watni, 20, from Pivin, Nayudo was being led by police to a helicopter to be taken to Madang when he tried to run away.
Police fired warning shots before Watni was hit.
The incident happened at the Mibu airstrip, Nayudo local level government, Rai Coast, Madang.
The 20-year-old woman was taken from her home by Watni and five others on Dec 16 between midnight and 1am.
She told The National that six men entered the family home and shone a torch directly at her.
“I put my hands up to stop the light shining into my eyes, but I couldn’t see.
“I was grabbed by my shoulder and dragged out of the house. My parents are elderly and couldn’t do much.
“They watched as I was taken from them.”
She said she was assaulted and threatened several times to be raped.
“However I fought back.
“Watni told me that I would be his wife. He was the one who stayed near me all the time,” she added.
“Along the road, the gang members tried to rape me.
“But a stranger appeared.
“The men became scared and left me.
“I too became scared and ran for my life.”
She said the stranger disappeared too after the gang left.
The woman hid in the bush for several days in fear for her life. She came out when police arrived.
According to police, Watni appeared at Mibu on Thursday Dec 23 and tried to force his way into the home of a missionary where police were staying.
The woman who was also in the village identified him to police.
He admitted committing the crimes with five others.