Hela firearm amnesty moves to Hayapuga LLG following mass surrenders

Preparations are under way in Hela Province for another major illegal firearm surrender program scheduled to take place on Wednesday in the Hayapuga Local Level Government [LLG] area.

The event at Hiwanda Primary School in the Tari-Pori District follows significant weapon surrenders across the province in recent days.

On Thursday, community members in Tebi LLG handed in 18 factory-made firearms. In neighboring Tagali LLG, 47 factory-manufactured guns were turned over to authorities.

The tallies do not include dozens of homemade firearms, hand grenades, bows, arrows, and wire catapults surrendered alongside the military-grade weapons.

Hela Governor Philip Undialu thanked community leaders, youth groups, and churches for driving the peace initiative ahead of the deadline for the government's official gun amnesty.

"We have two months remaining before the official amnesty period comes to an end," Undialu said.

"I am deeply encouraged by the overwhelming cooperation shown by our communities, guided by local church groups, LLG presidents, and ward councilors. We have all experienced the devastating toll and pain that gun violence and tribal conflicts bring to our province."

Following the Hayapuga program, the amnesty drive will move to Tari Urban and Pori LLGs.

Authorities plan to expand the program across the Koroba-Lake Kopiago, Komo-Hulia, and Magarima districts over the coming weeks.