Police detain 20 CS officers

About 20 correctional service officers are currently detained by police for illegal discharge of firearms and threatening the public in the nation’s capital.

It is alleged that the incident happened over reports of an unofficial appointment of a new head of Correctional Service.

This is according to the Police Assistant Commissioner for NCD and Central Province, Benjamin Turi.
However, Acting Commissioner Bernard Nepo says last night's incident is an isolated case and has nothing to do with the appointment.

Police say the commotion between a faction of the CS officers began at Kerepia barracks in Bomana and continued into the capital city , to the Rainbow area.

A video circulating on social media shows uniformed correctional service officers lying on the ground last night , under armed police watch.

In a news conference today, Acting CS Commissioner Bernard Nepo clarified that the incident is an isolated case.

He says it was triggered by the recovery of two firearms, allegedly stolen by four rogue CS officers.

Nepo also says the officers in the viral video were disarmed by police at Rainbow and immediately taken to Waigani station for questioning.

He however, raised concerns that four other CS officers suspected to be involved in the incident remain at large.

These includes two stolen firearms.

Assistant Commissioner of Police for NCD and Central Province Benjamin Turi confirmed the arrest to NBC News.

Meanwhile , the 20 detained officers have been denied bail as investigations continue.