Police probe mysterious disappearance of Ono-i-Lau villager
Police are investigating the mysterious disappearance of man who went out on a picnic trip on Sunday with two others but has not returned since. Eliki Yaco of Nukuni Village in Ono-i-Lau is said to have been bitten by a shark, according to village headman, Mesake Jale.
A missing person report was lodged as claims of foul play circulates around the village.
This is because when villagers conducted a search exercise, Mr Jale claimed that they recovered the clothes that the 23-year-old was last seen wearing.
Mr Jale said: “The two officers came on Friday for other matters and this incident occurred on Sunday so they are also investigating this matter.
“The incident occurred around 4pm on Sunday when Eliki, who owns a fibreglass boat, took two passengers to Mana Island (picnic place).
“It is not the first time he has taken the two passengers out to sea,” he said.
“They returned around 6pm and
Eliki was not with them and they told villagers that Eliki had been bitten by a shark.”
Mr Jale said the villagers were still trying to come to terms with what happened.
“There are a lot of questions villagers are asking in regards to the incident,” he said.
“Some villagers allege that the other two were drunk when they came back.
“The villagers went searching and were able to find his vest at the beach, underwear inside his fibreglass and his shorts was found underwater.”