Hostage Of 4 BTS Tower Workers, KKB Asks For A Half Billion Ransom

PAPUA - Four BTS tower construction workers in Okbab since Friday, May 12, have been held hostage by armed criminal groups (KKB) and the latest KKB information asks for a ransom of IDR 500 million.

"It is true that the KKB, which took the BTS tower construction workers hostage in Okbab (not Okbibab, ed.), asked for a ransom of Rp. 500 million as a condition to release the hostages," said Head of Public Relations of the Papua Police, Kombes Pol. Ignatius Benny Prabowo to ANTARA in Tanah Merah, Boven Digul Regency, South Papua, Saturday.

Four employees who were held hostage, namely Asmar and Fery, employees of PT Inti Bangun Sejahtera (IBS), both were reported to have been injured, then Peas Kulka (Staf of Okbab District) and Senus Lepitalem, Borme District.

From the reports received, it was revealed that initially six BTS workers accompanied by the Head of the Information and Communication Office of Bintang Mountains Regency, Alverus Sanuari, Friday (12/5), departed from Oksibil to Okbab District using an Elang Air plane.

Arriving at the Okbab Airport, suddenly a KKB member was approached who was carrying a sharp weapon and committing violence against three workers.

The two injured were Alverus Sanuari and Benjamin Sembiring. They were released with the Head of Infokom, then returned to Oksibil for medical treatment at the hospital for their injuries.

"Various efforts are currently being made to free the four hostages," concluded Kombes Pol. Benny was reported by ANTARA, Saturday, May 13.