Angoram police station closed indefinitely after violent tribal attack

The Angoram Police Station remains closed indefinitely, following a violent attack on law enforcement personnel, their families, and the station barracks by members of the Kanda tribe on Tuesday, June 30.

Police authorities said operations will not resume until a clear explanation is provided for what they have condemned as a direct criminal act against law enforcement and innocent families.

The two-week closure has left Angoram without functioning police services, prompting authorities to impose movement restrictions on the general public to deter further crime.

However, the situation remains critical as residents from five local-level governments are currently unable to travel to Angoram due to blockages along the Sepik River and surrounding waterways.

The ongoing tension has paralyzed the township with essential services, including the local market, the health centre and Leon Hardware shutting down, compounding the hardship faced by local communities.

Waterfront residents have been forced to flee inland for safety, fearing further tribal retaliations. With the dry season now underway, authorities warn that the prolonged disruption could trigger additional law and order challenges.

In response, East Sepik police renewed calls for the urgent deployment of mobile squads to reinforce local manpower and stabilize conditions in Angoram.

Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Christopher Tamari urged the Provincial Lands Division, alongside the District and Provincial Administrations, to immediately address the underlying land boundary and ownership disputes that escalated into the riot.

According to police, the root of the conflict stems from a long-standing boundary dispute involving the district administration.

Superintendent Tamari emphasized that while administrative solutions are necessary, criminal elements will not be tolerated.

"These issues must be resolved at the administrative level, but police will still round up the suspects involved in causing the destruction at Angoram Township," Tamari said.

"I am currently preparing logistics and manpower for the operation. I will still round up the ringleaders, and whoever else is involved, and deal with them in due course."

Tamari has called on all stakeholders to convene an urgent roundtable discussion to permanently resolve the land issue.