Student arrested in school arson case

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
A GRADE 12 student at Kilakila Secondary School in the National Capital District has been arrested and charged for allegedly burning down a two-storey building in the school on Friday. Badili Police Station commander Senior Sergeant Bill Werake told The National that the student was taken into custody yesterday after police collected statements from teachers, students and security guards.
“The student is charged with first degree arson and is detained at the Badili police custody,” he said.
Werake said the student would be awaiting prosecution to slot a time for him to appear in court.
“Police will not allow bail as he will have to apply for bail in court,’ he said.
School’s principal Herman Panai said the burnt building was housing two Grade 9 classrooms at the bottom, two Grade 10 classrooms at the top and two staff rooms.
He said this had left more than 200 students in the school without space to attend classes.
The building was recently renovated through the office of Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko.