Yalimo – The Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force 2025 successfully apprehended a member of the armed criminal group (KKB) in Yalimo, part of Aske Mabel’s gang. The suspect, identified as Okoni Siep alias Nikson Matuan, was arrested in Yalimo Regency on Sunday (2/2). During the operation, authorities also secured two long-barrel firearms of the AK China 2000P type, along with two magazines containing 46 rounds of live ammunition, which had previously been stolen by Aske Mabel from the Yalimo Police Station in June 2024.
In addition to the firearms and ammunition, the police also seized an OPPO A18 black smartphone believed to belong to the victim, Korinus Yohanis Wentken, as well as a document requesting financial aid bearing the logo of the armed criminal group (KKB).
According to investigations, Okoni Siep is strongly suspected of being involved in the shooting incident that injured Muktar Layuk (deceased) and Korinus Yohanis Wentken (survived) on November 5, 2024, on the Trans Wamena – Jayapura Road, Hobakma Village, Yalimo Regency.
The Head of Cartenz Peace Operations 2025, Brigadier General Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, S.Sos., S.I.K., M.H., emphasized that his team will continue to pursue the Yalimo KKB group until it is dismantled.
“This arrest is part of our efforts to enforce the law against the armed criminal groups that continue to disrupt security in Papua. We will not stop until all the perpetrators and their network are neutralized,” said Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani.
The Head of Public Relations Task Force of Cartenz Peace Operations 2025, Kombes Pol. Yusuf Sutejo, S.I.K., M.T., urged the Papuan community, especially those in Yalimo, not to support the KKB.
“We ask the public to remain vigilant and not be swayed by the KKB’s propaganda. If you have any information about their whereabouts, please report it to the authorities so that we can work together to create a peaceful and secure Papua,” said Kombes Pol. Yusuf Sutejo.
With the capture of Okoni Siep, authorities are continuing the search for Aske Mabel and his group, who are believed to still be hiding in Yalimo.
The Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force 2025 has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing security operations to ensure that the situation in Papua remains conducive.
