Armed kidnapping in Middle Fly: Five female students and health worker still held hostage

An armed kidnapping in the remote village of Adumare, Middle Fly District, has left five female students and a community health worker (CHW) still in captivity, nearly two weeks after the violent abduction.

The incident occurred in the early hours of May 12, 2025, when a group of ten armed men from Komo, Hela Province, stormed the village near the borders of Hela, Southern Highlands, and Western Provinces.

The attackers, armed with homemade firearms and bush knives, took nine hostages, including a male teacher and his wife, a CHW and his wife, and five female students.

Assistant Commissioner of Police [Border] Steven Francis confirmed that three of the hostages have since escaped, while the remaining six - five female students and the CHW, are still in the captors’ custody.

"On the day of the abduction, the CHW’s wife was released, and the teacher’s wife escaped shortly after. The teacher himself fled into the bush and is now under care in Mougulu," ACP Francis said.

"However, the five girls and the CHW are still being held in an unknown location near the rugged provincial borders."

The kidnappers reportedly sent a letter to local leaders, citing the abductions as retaliation for a previous police shooting involving their associates and the alleged killing of one of their members by locals.

In a ransom demand, the group is asking for K550,000 from the people of Adjumari and surrounding communities. So far, villagers have managed to raise K12,000 in a desperate bid to secure the hostages' release.

“The community is deeply distressed, and there is growing concern that some may take matters into their own hands, potentially escalating the situation,” Francis warned.

The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary [RPNGC], supported by Ok Tedi Mining Limited and Santos (formerly ExxonMobil PNG), has launched an ongoing response operation. Three suspects have been arrested, and one was fatally shot while attempting to flee. The apprehended individuals have been transported to Kiunga for further investigation.

Additional police officers have been deployed to the remote area as part of continued search and rescue efforts. Authorities say they are working to bring the situation under control and ensure the safe return of the remaining hostages.