Twenty factory made guns surrendered in Koroba Lake Kopiago district

Hela Provincial Administrator Ronny Angu *(third middle left)* Hela Governor Philip Undialu, Koroba-Lake Kopiago MP William Bando, police and PNGDF personnel and community leaders during gun surrender program at Yaluba primary school on Wednesday *(NBC News)*

Four communities voluntarily surrendered 20 factory-made firearms, over 50 homemade guns, a hand grenade, and various traditional weapons, including bows and arrows on Wednesday.

The surrender exercise brought together people from Egele, Yaluba 1, Yaluba 2, and Pupa. This event marks the first gun surrender program conducted within the Koroba–Lake Kopiago District and stands as the fifth peace ceremony of its kind across Hela Province.

The ceremony was witnessed by Governor Philip Undialu, Koroba–Lake Kopiago MP William Bando, Provincial Administrator Ronny Angu, and Provincial Police Commander Inspector Arau Mairi. They were joined by members police, PNGDF personnel and local community leaders.

Governor Undialu, who leads the Hela Provincial Gun Surrender Program, commended local ward councillors, leaders, and community members for their joint effort to end years of devastating tribal violence and rebuild community peace.

"We will continue this program throughout Hela until illegal firearms no longer pose a threat to our communities. These foreign weapons have warped minds, turning brother against brother and destroying our villages. Working together, we will restore Hela Province to a place of safety where people can travel freely and access vital services once again," Governor Undialu said.

Local MP William Bando emphasized that the Yaluba event signals the beginning of a broader, district-wide disarmament drive, praising the local clans for taking a decisive step toward lasting peace.

"This marks the beginning of our mission to clear weapons from our district. We urge neighboring communities to prepare, as our team will move village by village until every tribe and clan surrenders their arms. We are doing this for the future of our children and our youth, many of whom have been denied an education due to endless tribal conflict," MP Bando remarked, adding that genuine peace is the essential prerequisite for delivering government infrastructure and social services.

The Hela Provincial Gun Surrender Program continues its rollout across the district, with neighboring villages in the Pureni community scheduled to surrender their weapons today.