Relatives apprehend suspected killer of female teacher
Relatives of a man who allegedly murdered a female teacher yesterday afternoon (Sunday) in Koroba-Lake Kopiago District, Hela Province, have apprehended the suspect and handed him over to police.
Provincial Police Commander, Inspector Mairi Arau, confirmed to NBC News that the suspect is now in police custody. He said police have obtained statements and are awaiting the coroner's report today.
Hela Governor Philip Undialu has strongly condemned the tragic killing of the late Everlyn Warabe at Bura village and called for the full force of the law to be applied against those responsible.
He expressed his sincere condolences to the family of the late teacher and commended the swift action taken by relatives and the Pureni community to apprehend the suspect and hand him over to police.
He thanked the community for remaining calm, respecting the rule of law, and refusing to take matters into their own hands.
Governor Undialu noted that the recent Gun Surrender Program in Pureni and other parts of Hela had removed firearms from the hands of youths and communities, preventing the tragic incident from escalating into another tribal conflict.
"Had we not removed guns from the hands of our youths, this incident could easily have triggered another tribal fight, resulting in more deaths and suffering. I thank the relatives and the Pureni community for choosing the rule of law over revenge," Governor Undialu said.
The deceased's brother, Smith Warabe, said while the family thanks police for the arrest, they do not believe the killing was the act of a mentally ill person and suspect it was pre-planned.
"We strongly suspect there are people behind this killing who influenced him and are now trying to pretend it was just an act of a mentally retarded man.
"We call for a full and detailed interrogation and investigation, not only through interviews at the police station, but officers must go back to the village to find out the truth. Investigate who is behind this, who planned it, and why," he said.
While acknowledging reports that the suspect may be mentally unstable, Governor Undialu stressed that the circumstances of the killing must be thoroughly investigated and dealt with through the proper legal process.
He called on police to conduct a comprehensive investigation and ensure that those responsible face the full force of the law.
Governor Undialu urged the Warabe family, Pureni communities, and the wider Hela population to remain peaceful and allow police and the courts to do their work.
"We must not allow one tragic incident to take us back to tribal fighting. We have worked hard to remove guns and restore peace in Hela. Let us protect that progress and allow justice to prevail. Let other communities in Hela know this is the rightful process to follow," he said.
Late Everlyn Warabe was the first-born daughter of Pastor John Warabe of Bura SDA Church, Tangimapu Council Ward. She was from the Akuma and Kambe Toro clans of Pureni Village, South Koroba LLG.
She was a dedicated teacher who taught for over 10 years at Pureni Primary School and was recently serving at the newly established Ekele Primary School where she was murdered.