Yangoru police told to pack up

ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police for Border Command Peter Philip has issued an instruction for the removal of all policemen working at the Yangoru Station in East Sepik.
He said he had received numerous complaints from the public of policemen there being compromised.
Philip’s comment came following a riot at the Yangoru Station on Thursday when a man was killed, two injured and state properties destroyed.
The body of 24-year-old deceased, Numaia Karasman, was taken to the main hospital morgue awaiting further investigations.
Philip said the cost estimated at this stage was K100,000, adding that the district development authority would provide the total cost on the extent of damages.
Philip said the Yangoru Police Station was among government facilities ransacked during the fight between two factions.
He yesterday said: “All Yangoru-based policemen must leave Yangoru Police Station before Friday.
“This includes the Yangoru Police Station Commander Inspector Kevin Hombohoie, they all have to be posted to other stations in the province.
“The policemen (after staying long in one place) have been implicated in so many illegal activities so they have to move out of Yangoru Police Station as directed by the police headquarters.
“I have received reports that these policemen never took control of the negative behaviour from the public but allowed them to continuously ransack government facilities whenever there is a fight.”
Philip said he has directed provincial police commander Supt Albert Beli to have Senior Inspector James Baugen take charge of the Provincial Task Force, assisted by Inspector John Hasimani, to do policing in Yangoru since yesterday.
“We (police) have liaised with the Yangoru development authority for administrative and logistical support and the provincial task force unit are now adequate to restore normalcy and peace,” he said.
“Locals must respect public servants there (station) and help police to ensure that peace is restored.”
Philip urged those who walked out from the holding cells during the riot to surrender voluntarily.
He also urged those who took exhibits such as homemade guns from the station to return them to the police.
“The provincial task force team would be searching all households if the stolen exhibits were not returned,” he said.