Residents query security over escape

 THE breakout from the Jomba Police Station cell, in Madang, last weekend has raised concern over the integrity of police security.
Town residents are asking how the 12 escaped from the cell in the early hours of last Sunday managed to get free.
Frank Sikin, a suspect in the death of Nigel Laki, a third-year journalism student two weeks ago, was one of the escapees.
A relative of Laki called from Port Moresby yesterday and expressed frustration over his escape.
“We learnt that Madang PPC worked so hard to apprehend the main suspect and how come some of his men failed to prevent the escape?” the relative asked.
He said Laki’s death had the attention of the country and was a shocking news in Madang and many people  wanted the arrest of all those involved.
“The suspect’s escape is another slap on my face by the authority (police),” he said.
A source at Jomba said provincial police commander Chief Insp Sylvester Kalaut and some officers inspected the cell block on Wednesday and removed hacksaw blades which the detainees used to cut the iron bars of the cell to make their escape.
There were earlier reports about the hacksaw blades in the cell before Sikin and other 11 broke out.
Kalaut was frustrated about the escape.
He would be asking for an internal investigation into the matter.
He said there was poor management by officers in charge.
Meanwhile, three other suspects in police custody  over Laki’s death appeared before the Madang district court for mention on Wednesday.
The matter was adjourned to April 25 while their warrants were processed. All three were sent to Beon.
Kalaut appealed to Sikin to surrender and his relatives to assist in surrendering him.