DEKAI – Personnel from Operation Peace Cartenz successfully apprehended an inmate who had previously escaped from Wamena Prison in the Ekselon II Housing Complex, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan, on Monday (March 16) at around 5:50 PM WIT.
The inmate who was apprehended was identified as Ferly Wesabla, also known as Ferlin (22), a resident of the Telkomsel Complex, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency. The arrest was made after authorities received information regarding his whereabouts in the area.
Based on the investigation, a joint team from the Operation Peace Cartenz Task Force from the Yahukimo Sector monitored the perpetrator’s movements, who was riding a motorcycle to his family’s home in the Ekselon II area. When they attempted to apprehend him, the perpetrator attempted to flee and hid in the bushes around the location. However, officers successfully pursued and ultimately apprehended him.
Ferly Wesabla is known to be one of the inmates who previously escaped from Wamena Class IIB Prison on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, along with six other inmates. Furthermore, according to police data, he was also known to be a member of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) of the Yahukimo XVI Regional Military Command (KODAP), the Yalennang Battalion.
The six other inmates who escaped with Ferly Wesabla, also known as Ferlin, included Penias Heluka, also known as Kopi Tua, a leader of the Yahukimo KKB; Nelis Helika bin Hendrik Heluka; Rio Elopere bin Jani Elopere; Ariel Sonyap, also known as Simon Sonyap; Segius Asso; and Welinton Kogoya, also known as Ula. However, during his escape, Welinton Kogoya, also known as Ula, was immediately apprehended by officers near the prison.
The perpetrator is also a convicted felon in the 2024 murder of Yahukimo Police officer, Brigadier Oktovianus Buara, and was previously convicted by the court.
During the arrest, officers also seized several pieces of evidence from the perpetrators, including a Mio 125 motorcycle without a license plate, a black Robot headset, a cellphone charger, a noken bag, a yellow lighter, and a small noken. All of this evidence was secured for further investigation.
The Head of the Public Relations Task Force for the Cartensz 2026 Peaceful Operation, Senior Commissioner of Police Yusuf Sutejo, S.I.K., M.T., explained to the media on Tuesday (March 17) that the arrest was part of the security forces’ ongoing law enforcement efforts to address various public order and security disturbances in the Yahukimo area.
“The Cartensz Peaceful Operation Task Force, together with the Yahukimo Police, continues to carry out intensive law enforcement measures against various criminal cases and security disturbances in the Yahukimo area. The success of this arrest demonstrates that the security forces will continue to pursue and prosecute perpetrators who attempt to evade the legal process,” he said.
He added that the perpetrator is currently being held at the Yahukimo Police Department for further questioning by investigators. Furthermore, authorities are coordinating with the Wamena Class IIB Prison regarding the mechanism for the inmate’s re-examination.
“We also hope that the correctional institution can continue to improve its monitoring and security system for inmates, so that escapes can be minimized and the rehabilitation process can run more optimally,” he added.
The Head of Operation Peace Carstensz 2026, Brigadier General Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, S.Sos., S.I.K., M.H., stated that the arrest is part of the authorities’ commitment to upholding the law and ensuring that perpetrators of criminal acts are held accountable for their actions.
“This arrest is the result of the team’s hard work in the field investigating and monitoring the whereabouts of the perpetrator who previously escaped from Wamena Prison. We emphasize that we will continue to pursue and process every perpetrator of a crime according to the law,” said Brigadier General Dr. Faizal Ramadhani.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Head of the Cartenz 2026 Peace Operation, Senior Commissioner of Police Adarma Sinaga, S.I.K., M.Hum., urged the public to maintain security in the Yahukimo area and immediately report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
“We urge the entire community to work together to maintain public order and security so that it remains safe and conducive. Public support and participation are crucial in helping authorities maintain security and stability in the Papua region,” said Senior Commissioner of Police Adarma Sinaga.
Currently, authorities are conducting further investigations to investigate the possible involvement of other parties and ensure that all legal processes are carried out in accordance with applicable regulations.
