Papua Police Chief Calls KKB and Hostages Around Nduga-Lanny Jaya Regency

Monitor — Papua Police Chief Inspector General Pol. Mathius Fakhiri estimates that the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya and his hostages are currently in the vicinity of Nduga and Lanny Jaya Regencies.

The allegation concluded that the two regencies are connected to each other and still have kinship with Egianus.

"Egianus could not have gone far from the villages that had been supplying food for himself and his members," explained the Inspector General of Police. Faakhiri to ANTARA in Jayapura, Friday (24/3/2023).

He said efforts to free the hostages were still being carried out, including by a team sent by the acting Regent of Nduga.

In fact, we are still providing an opportunity for the team sent by the acting Regent of Nduga to carry out a humanitarian mission to free hostages who are pilots on the Air Side, said Fahiri.

The two-star general from Mappi Regency, South Papua Province admitted that Egianus had been in the vicinity of Koyawage, Lanny Jaya Regency but did not take his hostage.

Koyawage itself is the area of origin of his mother so it is estimated that Egianus deliberately visited the area, and is currently reported to have returned to the surrounding area of Nduga Regency.

"But exactly where the hostages are, the joint TNI-Polri team is still trying to search while waiting for the results from the team formed by pj. Regent of Nduga," said the Papua Police Chief.

The KKB led by Egianus Kogoya since February 7 has taken hostage New Zealand pilot Philip Mark Mahrtens of Susi Air shortly after landing his plane at the Paro airport, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains.

Apart from taking the pilot hostage, the KKB also burned a Pilatus type plane belonging to Susi Air.

Source: PANTAU