Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D. Fakhiri revelas several motives of Armed Criminal Group attacks in Dekai Regency, Yahukimo, for the past week, Wednesday (15/3).
In his statement, the motives behind the attacks are still surrounding the kidnapping of Susi Air pilot, Philip Mark Merthens by the Egianus Kogoya’s Armed Criminal Group in Nduga Regency.
“From what we have seen, the attacks could have been from one similar group which are affiliated. It could have been for distractions, or these groups could have been seeking fame after seeing another group have been able to kidnap a pilot in Nduga,” says Fakhiri in Jayapura, Tuesday.
Security forces in Papua are still focusing their operation in rescuing Susi Air pilot and currently they are working on bringing back the peace in Yahukimo.
Fakhiri states that there will be reinforcement for Yahukimo, saying “We from the police institutions, helped by our friends in the military, will strengthen the area prone to the attacks”.
Regarding Trigana Air and Wings Air decision to stop the operation in Yahukimo temporarily, Fakhiri says that security apparatus will do their best to secure Nop Goliath Airport from any potential threats.
Security situations in Yahukimo is in turmoil since March 1st, 2023 when the an attack killed the First Soldier of Indonesian Military Force, LW. Other than him, the Commander of Yahukimo Military District, Lieutenant Colonel J.V. Tethool and his two soldiers were wounded.
Then, there was another attack on Wednesday, March 8th, 2023. The attack killed EP (18) and VS (24) due to the gun wounds.
The incident was allegedly done by Yotam Bugiangge, who joined the rebels after being fired from the military force.
The most recent attack came on Saturday, March 11th, 2023. The rebels shot a plane owned by Trigana Air who were about to land in Nop Goliat Airport. The attack did not resulted any damage on the plane.
However, the plane was shot again when it was about fly to Jayapura. The attack damaged the body of the plane, fortunately the flight could still continued and landed safely in Sentani Airport.