Missing man Aiwa Ape found dead after 10 days

Police and forensics retrieving Ape's body at Brown River on Monday (Image: Supplied)

A 62-year-old man missing since Friday October 3 was found dead at Brown River, 50 kilometres northeast of Port Moresby, on Monday.

Aiwa Ape from Bogspi village in Banz, Jiwaka Province had left his home on that fateful Friday and never returned.

Central Province police had been notified by family members of Ape missing through a Facebook post that included a photo of him standing in front of his truck before he went missing.

Aiwa Ape standing in front of his truck before he went missing on October 3 (Image: Supplied)

Provincial Police Commander Joseph Salle confirmed that the truck belonging to Ape was found in Mekeo, which later led police to identify the person who had driven the truck to Mekeo. This person was picked up by Bereina police on Monday, which then led them to the location where Ape's body was found.

"We had spoken to the family of the deceased, who accompanied us to the location where we retrieved the body and took it to Port Moresby. The five suspects are now in police custody, where they will be investigated and charged accordingly. It was an unfortunate situation for the man, who, thought he would return to his family, did not make it since the day he went missing. We will work closely with the family to ensure that those involved face the full force of the law, PPC Salle said.

PPC Salle thanked police officers from Bereina and Laloki, along with operational units from Central Province, including the forensic team, for their teamwork in retrieving the body and transporting it to Port Moresby.

Five suspects have been apprehended and are in custody, while police investigations continue.