An urgent police operation is underway in Papua New Guinea to rescue an Australian university professor and three researchers who were taken hostage at gunpoint early on Sunday. According to Police Commissioner David Manning, the captors are armed criminals who initially demanded a ransom of around $1 million within 24 hours. However, the sum has since been dropped and the deadline abandoned.
The professor, an archaeologist working for an Australian university, was on a field trip to the remote village of Fogoma’iu in the Mount Bosavi region when the incident occurred. The three researchers are Papua New Guinea university students. The group is currently being held near Fogoma’iu at the boundary of Southern Highlands and Hela provinces.
Manning has warned that the police will use whatever means necessary against the criminals, including lethal force, in order to ensure the safety of the hostages. He has also offered the abductors a way out, saying they can release their captives and be treated fairly through the criminal justice system. However, he warned that failure to comply and resisting arrest could cost them their lives.
Papua New Guinea’s rugged highlands are a sprawling expanse of jungle-cloaked hills where the central government and security forces have little sway. In recent years, the region has seen an increase in tribal warfare and an influx of modern weapons. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has yet to comment on the incident.
The police operation to rescue the Australian professor and three researchers continues in Papua New Guinea. The group was taken hostage at gunpoint early on Sunday by armed criminals who initially demanded a ransom of around $1 million within 24 hours. This sum has since been dropped and the deadline abandoned.
The professor is an archaeologist working for an Australian university who was on a field trip to the remote village of Fogoma’iu in the Mount Bosavi region when the incident occurred. The three researchers are Papua New Guinea university students. They are currently being held near Fogoma’iu at the boundary of Southern Highlands and Hela provinces.
Police Commissioner David Manning has warned that the police will use whatever means necessary against the criminals, including lethal force, in order to ensure the safety of the hostages. He has also offered the abductors a way out, saying they can release their captives and be treated fairly through the criminal justice system. However, he warned that failure to comply and resisting arrest could cost them their lives.
Papua New Guinea’s rugged highlands have seen an increase in tribal warfare and an influx of modern weapons in recent years, making it difficult for the central government and security forces to maintain control. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has yet to comment on the hostage situation.
The police operation to rescue the Australian professor and three researchers continues in Papua New Guinea. The captors have been offered a way out if they release their captives, but failure to comply could cost them their lives. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has yet to comment on the incident.