Acting Regent Of Nduga Ensures Negotiated Teams Are Still Trying To Free Susi Air Pilots Who Were Perpetrated By KKB

Susi Air Pilot Philip Mark Merthens, who is currently being held hostage by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya in Nduga Regency, Papua Province, Mountains. (PHOTO VIA ANTARA)

Acting Regent of Nduga, Papua, NamiaGwijangge said the negotiation team formed by the Nduga Regency Government is still negotiating with the armed criminal group led by Egianus Kogoya to free the New Zealand national pilot who is being held hostage.

"It is true that until now negotiations are still being carried out and we hope that the hostages can be released soon," said NamiaGwijang, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 2.

He said there were members of the negotiating team who had met with the hostage-taking group.

"We hope that the hostage-taking case can be completed soon with the release of pilot Susi Air so that community activities return to normal," he continued.

According to him, currently people in their area are also afraid because they cannot move normally. On the one hand, people are afraid of the KKB and on the other hand they are also afraid to see the number of security forces.

The fear experienced by residents, both against the security forces and the group holding the Susi Air pilot hostage, made the Acting Regent of Nduga want the hostage-taking case that has been going on for several months to be completed soon.

"The negotiating team is still working and hopes to bring positive results so that pilot Philip Mehrtens can be released immediately," he said.

Pilot Philip Mehrtens has been held hostage by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya since February 7, 2023 shortly after landing his plane at Paro airport, Nduga Regency. In addition to holding the pilot hostage, the KKB also burned Susi Air's plane.