Two suspects arrested over Alotau fire, deaths

By MARJORIE FINKEO and HELEN TARAWA
POLICE arrested two alleged suspects of the Alotau fire and deaths on the west coast of Namatanai Island in New Ireland on Sunday.
Police are carrying out special operations to find those involved in setting fire to a number of police houses. The charred bodies of a mother and son were later found in one of those houses.
Police believe the fire was an act of revenge against police who shot dead one of the criminals in an exchange of fire. The criminals also shot a lawyer in his vehicle.
Police commander Superintendent Gideon Ikumu said the two suspects were apprehended by a police unit sent to the island after a tip-off.
Ikumu said police were organised into groups after images of the armed suspects were circulated on WhatsApp. They travelled from Alotau to Rabaul and New Ireland, he said.
Ikumu said 10 images were sent from sources which alerted the police and public.
“I thank the leadership role of the Namatanai MP for funding and the support to the police that helped us to go out on special operations,” he said.
Ikumu said the suspects were armed with home-made guns and ammunitions which police seized.
The two are in custody.
“We need help from police headquarters to arrest others who might on their way into the province,” he said.
Meanwhile, police in Northern received information that some of the criminals were already in the province.
Police station commander Silas Tojune said “straight after the incident in Alotau, police in Oro took the step knowing well that their next escape route would be through this province.”
Tojune said transport issues had prevented them from leaving their posts.
“We requested assistance from the business houses in Popondetta town for fuel and rations.”