NO ONE WINS IN A TRIBAL FIGHT: OUTGOING PPC FOR ENGA

Farewell message from the outgoing PPC Enga

MEDIA RELEASE, 25 September 2026

Since December last year, the National Court at Wabag has sentenced eleven people for murder in Enga. Between them, they will serve 305 years in prison with hard labor.

On one day in August, four were each sentenced to 28 years. One will serve 50 years for taking two lives. The lightest murder sentence handed down was 20 years.
Most killings in this province come out of tribal fighting. That is the truth, and we cannot pretend otherwise.

Think about what those sentences mean. A young man who picks up a gun at 20 walks out of the prison at 48, if he walks out at all. His parents may be buried while he is inside. His children grow up without him. His land is worked by someone else. His wife remarries.Then ask what the fight was for. A pig. A boundary. An insult. A debt. Trying to influence an election. Not one of these is worth a life, and not one of them was settled by killing. The fight goes on and the compensation demand grows. Another funeral is being planned. Another child goes to sleep while their father sleeps in prison.

Meanwhile schools close, health centres empty and roads shut. Mothers carry children into the bush to hide. Houses and gardens burn. The people who suffer most never fired a shot.

You will be charged too

I want to be clear about the law. Anyone who buys the gun, pays the gunman, plans the attack or sends young men to fight can be charged with the killing itself, the same as the one who pulled the trigger.

Anyone who hides a killer afterwards, whether by feeding him, housing him, moving him or lying to police about where he is, will be arrested and charged as an accessory. Harbouring a murderer is a crime. Family ties are not a defence.

Witnesses will be protected

In some of these cases, witnesses were threatened to stop them giving evidence. A council president was arrested and detained in connection with witness intimidation. Another councillor arrested and charged for alleged similar conduct.

Position and status will not protect anyone who interferes with justice.

We will not back down. Witnesses who come forward will have police support, and anyone who threatens them will face the law.

Hand in your guns now

The National Government has extended the firearm amnesty until Christmas Day, Friday 25 December 2026. If you hold an illegal firearm, this is your chance to hand it in. Take it while you can. When the amnesty ends, anyone found with an illegal gun will be arrested and prosecuted. Firearms can be surrendered at Wabag Police Station.

What comes next

My detectives have worked hard to bring these cases to trial, and more cases are before the court now. We will keep going.

The RPNGC in Enga is receiving support from both the National and Provincial governments to maintain our tempo.

To community leaders: you have the authority and responsibility to stop a fight before it starts. Use it.

To young men: nobody who sends you to fight will serve your sentence for you. Their children will be enjoying their freedom while you lose yours.

Pait i no save pinisim hevi. Em i save kamapim moa hevi tasol.

If you have information about a fight, a planned attack, a person on the run or illegal firearms, contact your local police.


Chief Superintendent Steven HARRIS

Provincial Police Commander, ENGA