Witness escapes kidnap attempt

 By FREDRICK JEJERI 
A WITNESS to the fatal shooting of Dr Alphonse Rongap is recovering after being kidnapped by a group of men at Mambu market settlement in Lae last Tuesday,  police say.
Northern Region assistant Police commissioner Peter Guinness said the witness was forced into a vehicle and driven away by his kidnappers but managed to escape. He was later picked up by a security vehicle and taken to Angau hospital.
Ahi local level government law and order committee chairman Sam Gani said at around 5am last Tuesday two vehicles had entered Mambu market settlement and demanded the witness to come out of his house.
“When he approached them, they hit him on his shoulders and walked him off to a waiting vehicle. They  prevented his wife from following,” Gani said.
He said the witness fought with his kidnappers near the Susu Mama clinic at Snack Bar, opened the vehicle door and jumped off.
Guinness said the witness had tried to stop a group of men from attacking Rongap on the night of June 25.
“The witness screamed and yelled but the suspects ignored him and attacked the doctor and a youth,” Guiness said.
Lae Metropolitan Supt Anthony Wagambie Jr confirmed the incident but refused to comment further.