Tokura condemns Me’ekamui

Chief of the Bougainville Police Service, Deputy Commissioner, Francis Tokura, has strongly condemned the hijacking of former president and revered statesman Chief Doctor John Momis, and the extortion of Member for Konnou Constituency, Willie Masiu.

Reports reaching NBC Online, confirmed that Momis’ vehicle was forcefully taken near the Laluai area in South Bougainville over the weekend, allegedly by individuals linked to the Me’ekamui 1 faction.

In a separate but related incident, Member Willie Masiu was allegedly extorted and forced to pay 5-thousand Kina for campaigning in the same area last week.

Deputy Commissioner Tokura described the acts as criminal, shameful and a serious insult to Bougainville’s democratic process and respect for leadership.

While Momis’ vehicle has since been returned, Tokura is demanding that local leaders in Konnou take responsibility and ensure their people uphold peace and order during the campaign period.

He’s calling on members of the Me’ekamui 1 faction to stand down and allow all candidates to move freely and safely across Bougainville.