05/01/2026
The nation has been shaken by the deeply disturbing reports emerging from Tsak Valley in Enga Province. According to a formal brief submitted to provincial authorities, an “unprovoked and unauthorized police operation” has left “6 people dead and 3 injured”, carried out by members of the newly established Kumul 23 unit. These allegations are grave, and they strike at the heart of our constitutional order. Are these the actions of an elite unit or a kill squad?
The Constitution of Papua New Guinea, under Section 197, mandates the Police Force to preserve peace, protect life, and uphold the law. Yet the brief describes a coordinated assault in which “26 Troopers drove into Tsak Valley at around 3.00am… split into two teams… and opened fire on unarmed civilians.” The report states that “Winis Kaki’s wife, Margret, was killed in her sleep,” and that Pastor Joshua Tati was allegedly “physically assaulted… kicked with metal plate boots… and later died in the hands of the Security Forces.” This is deplorable and a serious indictment on the police hierarchy.
Such actions, if verified, constitute clear violations of the Criminal Code, including unlawful killing, grievous bodily harm, and abuse of authority. The brief further notes that Wapenamanda and Wabag police were not notified and that the operation was “not authorized by Enga Police Command.” This represents a direct breach of the Police Force Act, which requires strict adherence to command structures, lawful authorization, and operational accountability.
Kumul 23 was established as an elite anti terrorism unit under the Anti Terrorism Act, reporting directly to the Commissioner. Its mandate is to neutralize high risk threats—not to conduct unauthorized raids on peaceful communities who, as the brief states, “were never a party to the internal tribal conflict” and had instead been “providing refuge and brokering peace.”
These events reveal catastrophic failures of leadership, oversight, and discipline within the police force. There is a total collapse within the police force because of total leadership incompetence. This wanton slaughter of innocent lives has been rampant since the government took over in 2019 and has left a staggering death toll.
Papua New Guineans deserve to know their safety is guaranteed and to look at the police with trust and confidence as disciplined professionals. This cannot happen under this continued leadership failure and litany of excuses to cover up and go past the real issue of escalating violent crimes spurred by poor police enforcement.
The Minister for Police and the Commissioner of Police must accept responsibility for their complete failure in decreasing crime rates and ensuring the safety of our people. Their continued leadership undermines public trust and threatens constitutional governance. Both remain clueless about policing.
In 2025, Papua New Guinea (PNG) was ranked as one of the world's most dangerous countries and Port Moresby took at the cake as one of the top five most dangerous cities in the world. The performative stunts and coverups about failure in policy, administration and leadership in the police force cannot continue.
The stakes are high because our development is predicated on robust law and order. For the sake of national security, rule of law, and justice for the people of Tsak Valley, Enga province, and Papua New Guinea, I call for both the Police Commissioner and the Police Minister to resign immediately.
*ENDS*
