Trio kidnapped in Hela

Police operations are underway to resolve a kidnap situation in the vicinity of Mt. Sisa in Hela involving the abduction of local three men in their twenties.
It is confirmed that on Friday (June 28), at about 1am, around 40 armed men went into Pristo and Dodomona villages in Western which also borders the Mt Sisa region in Hela and kidnapped the three men.
Details and reasons for the actions are unclear from the police statement.
Police Commissioner David Manning, said he ordered the deployment of a specialist assault team to be deployed into the area with orders to “apprehend or otherwise remove the armed assailants”.
The statement said: “The deployment of specialist policing tactical units means there will be no mercy for the kidnappers should they fail to lay down their weapons or continue to threaten life.
“The people of our nation are sick and tired of these criminals who disrupt law and order,” Manning said.
“I am sending in our specialist personnel who will apprehend or otherwise remove the armed assailants.
“There are negotiation efforts underway to bring this situation to a peaceful outcome with no loss of life, but the bottom line is that any criminal who raises a gun or a knife against another person can expect no mercy.
“The kidnappers can either lay down their weapons or their weapons will be laid down for them. History has shown that where these criminals make the poor choice to confront police, they do not live to tell the tale.
“The priority for police is to have the those held safely released and this is our focus. No tears will be shed if the kidnappers do not survive as this situation comes to a head.
“We have seen in the past when criminals have engaged in similar activities in this region, that when they hear police are coming in hot they release the hostages and run.
“This is the last chance for the kidnappers to do the same before our specialists go in and they had better heed this message,” he said.
The Commissioner of police further noted the intention of police to establish a permanent presence in the region, subject to funding agreement with stakeholders.
In recognition of operational security, Police are unable to provide further comment on the specialised policing operation underway at this time.