Jayapura – Puncak Jaya Resort Police are currently investigating the motive for the hostage-taking case carried out by an unknown person (OTK) against 3 (three) motorcycle taxi drivers in Mewoluk District, Puncak Jaya Regency on Monday (24/4) at around 12.30 WIT.
Head of Public Relations of the Papua Regional Police Kombes Pol. Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo, S.H., S.I.K., M.Kom when confirmed, Tuesday (25/4) said the three motorcycle taxi drivers who were taken as hostages were SY (18), H (35) and B (25).
“It was known beforehand, at around 12.30 WIT after the midday prayer, the three motorcycle taxi drivers were delivering passengers and groceries from Kota Mulia to the Mewoluk District, after dropping off the passengers, they were then ambushed by unknown people,” he explained.
The hostage-taking carried out by the OTK is allegedly related to Social Assistance funds for the March 2023 period from the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs to local communities which were not distributed by the District Heads.
“Currently the Puncak Jaya Police have summoned the three district heads, namely the district heads of Mewoluk, Molanikime and Lumo for questioning and further investigation,” he added.
Kombes Benny said, based on the information received, today Tuesday (25/4) at around 15.30 wit, the three motorcycle taxi drivers were successfully secured at the Puncak Jaya Police Headquarters thanks to the efforts of negotiation and cooperation between the local government, TNI-Polri officers and community leaders .
Apart from that, the Puncak Jaya Police Chief AKBP Kuswara, S.H., S.IK., M.H added, the three motorcycle taxi drivers who survived were undergoing medical examinations to be further questioned about the hostage-taking they experienced.
“Where the Polres Jaya Puncak Jaya itself has previously given an appeal or warning to motorcycle taxi drivers not to accompany and pick up passengers in areas far from the city,” said Puncak Jaya Police Chief AKBP Kuswara.
