Settlers attack Mondiai

 By JUNIOR UKAHA

A SENIOR police officer in the Momase region was reportedly attacked by armed men at a settlement in Lae last Friday. 

Police sources said Supt Nema Mondiai, the acting assistant commissioner of police for Momase, suffered knife wounds after he was stabbed.

Police said two suspects were charged in relation to the stabbing and had been detained at the Lae police station.

The attack was among a string of serious crimes committed in the city last week.

Lae police operations commander Insp Fred Kaiwa had last Tuesday warned residents to take extra precautions because crime in the city normally increased a week or two before the Morobe Agricultural Show. 

Mondiai could not be reached for comment yesterday. 

The incident happened near Apo Block, the settlement where an ethnic clash erupted last week between two factions of people. 

Sources said Mondiai was driving into the area when he was confronted by a group of men blocking the road.

Sources said Mondiai was stabbed when he came out to tell them to remove the roadblock.

It was unclear whether Mondiai was travelling alone. Police are yet to establish the motive for the attack.

Mondiai is said to be recovering from his injuries and is in a stable condition.

Mondia was the former Lae metropolitan commander before being elevated to the region’s top post. 

Police are investigating the attack.