The Expert Staff of the Indonesian Presidential Staff Office, Theofransus Litaay, condemned the attack carried out by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Nogolait Village, Nduga Regency, Papua, on Saturday 16 July 2022.
Theofransus expressed his condolences for the incident that killed 10 civilians. According to him, the perpetrator’s actions were cruel and inhumane.
“We (the government) strongly condemn this terror act because it is inhumane and very cruel,” said Theofransus, Saturday, July 16, 2022.
“Therefore, we support law enforcer in enforcing law so that the perpetrators could be arrested quickly,” he continued.
He added that his party supports the law enforcement process and optimization of security institutions to take action against anyone who tries to spread terror, disturb public order and security, especially causing casualties in Papua.
He also expressed his appreciation for the quick steps taken by the security forces to apply Alert 1 to the security conditions in Nduga Regency. This step can prevent the spread of terror acts carried out by the perpetrators.
“We hope that from our first quick act, we can prevent the spread of terror acts and there will be a thorough law enforcement,” said Theofransus.
The government also expressed its condolences for this incident. According to him, the victims are only innocent people who are trying to work to support their families.
“These victims are people who are trying to do work to support their families and also to improve economic life in Nduga Regency. The government will provide support to the families of the victims so that the process of handling the deceased can be accessed by the family” he said.
He also appealed to the community to work together in unity. Moreover, if there is information related to the public disturbance, the public can immediately report it to the security forces.
On Saturday (16/7/2023) morning, an Armed Criminal Group shoots civilians in Nogolait Village. The Papuan Police explained the chronology of the tragic events carried out by the KKB. In that incident, 10 people died after being shot and stabbed.
The Head of Public Relations of the Papua Police, Police Commissioner, Ahmad Musthofa Kamal said, on Saturday morning at around 09.15 WIT, when the victims were traveling from Kenyam to Batas Batu by trucks. The victims were in the back of the truck and the other one was in front of the truck with the driver.
When the truck crossed the Noggolait village road, approximately 50 meters away, the truck was intercepted by the Armed Criminal Group of approximately 20 people carrying three short- and long-barreled firearms, as well as sharp weapons.
“When the car stopped, then they were suddenly shot by the criminal groupt from a distance of approximately 50 meters. The driver tried to reverse the car for a 100 meters, but unfortunately the driver was shot by the group,” explained Commissioner Kamal.
The victims were found in four locations, including on the road near the truck and near a motorbike, where three bodies were found. Then three meters from the first location towards the Batu Limit, adjacent to one of the grocery stalls, another six bodies were found and another one was found behind the shop.
“Furthermore, on the uphill of the road, a victim was found on the side of the road, and the last one was also found on the road close to the regent’s car,” said Kamal.
Currently members of the Nduga Police and the Cartenz Peace Task Force, assisted by the TNI, are investigating the reason behind this attack and will pursue every each one of them.
The victims of the KKB atrocities in Nduga Regency were Yulius Watu (23), Habertus Goti (41), Daeng Maramli (41), Taufan Amir (42), Sirajudin (27), Johan (26), Alex (45), Yuda Hurusinga (42) Muhammad Ismaul (53), and a religious leader Elias Erbaye (54).
Meanwhile, two people, Sudirman (36) and Has Jon (41) were injured and are currently being treated intensively at the Mimika Hospital.