Police investigating murder incident in army barracks

NCD/Central Commander Benjamin Turi has confirmed that Police have received a report of woman being murdered last Saturday within the Murray Barracks single quarters vicinity, but they are yet to confirm details surrounding her death.

He said, from police initial findings, she died from a blunt force trauma to her head using a heavy object.

Mr. Turi says, the main suspect is the husband who happens to be a PNG Defense Force soldier and resides at the Single quarters at Murray Barracks.

He said the Police CID will be working closely with the military police to apprehend the suspect who is yet to be located.

The Military Police have been informed to help bring in the soldier who is the main suspect behind the woman’s murder.

NBC News’s attempt to get comments from the PNGDF Hierarchy has been unsuccessful.

Meanwhile the Minister for Defense, Dr. Billy Joseph described the incident as very troubling given the location of the incident.

The Minister said the circumstances surrounding the incident is still unclear at this time, however he has instructed Military Police to work together with the NCD Police to investigate.

He said it is a case of serious criminal conduct and those who are involved will be identified and handed over to police for full criminal investigation and prosecution.

The Minister stressed that any officer of the PNGDF involved in such gruesome criminal act will be removed from the force.

In addition, the Minister said, they will now be reviewing the PNGDF recruitment process to ensure lose ends are tighten and only fit and proper persons with no criminal record joins the military.