Student suspect in police custody

Hela PPC Insp Arau Mairi has condemned the attack of the Grade 12 examination invigilator *(Supplied)*

Hela Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Inspector Arau Mairi has confirmed that police have arrested the male student who allegedly attacked a Grade 12 examination invigilator at Komo Secondary School in Komo-Hulia District on Wednesday, 14th October 2026 at approximately 9:15am.

PPC Mairi said the suspect is now being held at the Tari Police Station cell. He said the matter has been handed over to the Police Criminal Investigation Division (CID) for processing, with formal charges to follow. The suspect is from Apono village in the Hayapuga Local Level Government (LLG) of Hela Province.

He said the victim, Virgil Verave, a teacher attached to the Catholic Archdiocese Education Division, was deployed to the school - a Catholic Agency-run school - to invigilate the ongoing Grade 12 National Examinations when he was attacked.

He said during the examination, Mr. Verave allegedly discovered students cheating by offering cash bribes in exchange for examination answers.

"When the cheating was exposed, a student (name withheld) who is the current SRC President of the school allegedly took a bush knife, chased the teacher out of the classroom onto the school grounds, and slashed him on the head, hands, and calf muscles," PPC Mairi said.

Invigilator Virgil Verave who sustained injuries from bush knife attack *(Supplied)*

He said Mr. Verave, who is from Gabone village in Rigo District, Central Province, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Tari Hospital for urgent medical attention. His condition is currently being monitored.

"I strongly condemn this attack. Teachers and examination invigilators are performing a national duty to protect the integrity of our education system. Any attack on them is an attack on the future of our children and will not be tolerated," PPC Mairi said.