Thugs rob principal of school project fees

 By PISAI GUMAR

A SCHOOL principal was robbed by five armed thugs of K150,000 – collected from parents as project fees – as he was on his way to the bank escorted by an armed police officer.

The thugs also took the shotgun from the officer, according to Chief Inspector David Warap.

He said the principal of Wasu Secondary School in Tewae-Siassi was robbed at Nadzab airport while waiting for a vehicle to take him to the bank in Lae.

Warap was disappointed that the officer who was engaged to provide security surrendered the gun to thieves. 

“It is very embarrassing for the policeman to lose a gun to thugs just like that,” Warap said.

Warap said the principal was escorted by the policeman from Wasu to Lae with the money collected for project fees. 

The incident happened around 10.30am yesterday. 

“The movement of large sums of money to and from outside districts through Nadzab airport, or by boat at Voco Point, DCA and Aigris is becoming risky in this mobile phone era and requires full police escort,” Warap said.

He said moving large sums of money to and from outside districts through Nadzab was becoming more risky.

An Air Niugini ground staff at Nadzab who witnessed the incident told The National that the armed men had arrived before the principal and were surveying the premises.

The witness said the principal and policeman were waiting at the main car park when the armed men pounced on them.

“The policeman ran for cover leaving the gun behind. The thugs grabbed the bag from the teacher plus the gun and escaped,” he said.