Team in Wewak, probe shooting

A TEAM from the Internal Investigations Unit (IIU) is in East Sepik to investigate the recent death of a youth allegedly killed by police, as well as three armed men who died during a shootout with Wewak cops.
IIU acting director Emil Alpha said the team was in the province as both incidents involved police.
According to East Sepik police commander Supt Albert Beli, the youth, Joshua Jam, 19, was allegedly shot by police on July 19 near his place of residence, the Saksak compound.
Supt Beli said Wewak police shot dead three criminals believed to have been involved in a series of armed robberies around the province for the past two months.
He added that the criminals were killed after an exchange of fire with police along the Wom Beach road early yesterday.
Alpha said: “A post-mortem has been conducted for the four deceased and the slugs taken out are now being looked at by the investigators to determine the type of firearm used.
“You have the case around the Saksak compound which caused a few days of tension.
“We are only here to find out if, indeed, a police firearm was used in the incident.
“The other case is the shooting of three suspects who were suspected of robbing a supermarket in the township of Wewak.
“Police were engaged in a shootout and we are conducting investigations into the incident to find out whose firearm was used in the shooting,” Alpha said.
For the shootout, it’s a requirement when police are included in any shooting at a scene,” Alpha said.