Police Awards 18 Including Students
Eighteen villagers including nine students of Navesau Adventist High School were awarded Certificates of Commendation by the Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu for their brave efforts.
They assisted Police in the arrest of the 22-year-old charged with aggravated robbery, assault, damaging property and common nuisance after erecting an illegal roadblock near Navesau last month.
A/CP Tudravu and senior officers presented certificates and monetary rewards at Nabulini Village.
A/CP Tudravu commended the efforts of all involved both young and old for assisting Police in arresting the accused who was produced in court last month.
Also part of the group is 19-year-old McVeigh Mainu from Papua New Guinea, who along with eight of his fellow students assisted efforts that led to the successful arrest of the accused.
Mainu and fellow Year 12 student, Simione Waqa, who was injured in the incident, said they ran after the accused and gave chase as he fled into nearby bushes.
They said other students tried their best to run after the accused, but had to withdraw after they were allegedly pelted with stones. For 64-year-old Inoke Luvubula, who was injured during the pursuit, being recognised for his efforts was unexpected because he felt assisting was the right thing to do at the time.
Originally from Rokovuaka Village, Mr Luvubula said he was following others who were pursuing the alleged accused and could not duck for cover in time resulting in injuries that left him immobile for more than two weeks.
Torika Ranadi, 27, who was the only woman in the group was also recognised. Ms Ranadi played an instrumental role in the arrest of the accused and although she knew the accused, she decided to help knowing more people could have been harmed.
A/CP Tudravu in commending the group’s efforts said they were great examples of the concept of community policing in that they did not turn a blind eye to criminal activities and engaged in problem solving to address issues that would have threatened public safety.
He also thanked each student individually knowing the situation was a dangerous one that could have resulted in serious injury or even death.