Wamena Prison Conceded, 6 Prisoners Escaped Including KKB Members

Illustration of escaped prisoners (ANTARA)

WAMENA - Jayawijaya Resort Police (Polres) said six inmates had fled from the Wamena Class II B Correctional Institution (Lapas). Among them, there was a prisoner who was a member of an armed criminal group (KKB), who was previously detained in a case of possession of firearms.

The six inmates who managed to escape from the Class II B Wamena Prison were Nelis Heluka Bin Hendrik Heluka, Penihas Heluka alias Kopi Tua Heluka, Rio Elopere Bin Jani Elopere, Ariel Sonyap alias Koroway Bin Simon Sonyap, Sergius Asso, and Ferly Wesabla alias Ferlin. The police are currently conducting intensive searches to recapture the escaped prisoners.

Jayawijaya Police Chief, AKBP Heri Wibowo, in his statement in Wamena on Friday, stated that after coordinating with the Wamena Class II B Prison, the police will continue to support the search and arrest of the six inmates. Strategic steps have been taken, including strengthening communication with various parties to narrow the space for the perpetrators of the escape.

"We continue to try to find the six inmates who fled. Coordination with related parties, including community leaders and other security forces, we continue to improve to speed up the arrest process," said AKBP Heri Wibowo.

Furthermore, he explained that of the six inmates who escaped, one of them was a prisoner who faced a case of illegal possession of firearms originating from Yahukimo Regency. Therefore, the police will also establish communication with community leaders in the Yahukimo area to help identify the locations of the fugitives.

"Coordination with community leaders in Yahukimo is very important so that they can help provide information regarding the whereabouts of the perpetrators, especially prisoners related to cases of possession of firearms in the Wamena area," he added.

He emphasized that people in the Papua Mountains region, especially in Jayawijaya Regency and its surroundings, need to increase their vigilance considering the whereabouts of prisoners who are still on the run. The public is asked to immediately report to the security forces if they see or know information related to their movements.

In addition, he also revealed that the police could not confirm how long it would take to arrest the six inmates, given the vast area of Papua, the mountains that became the location of their escape. However, his party is committed to continuing to search indefinitely until all detainees are successfully secured again.

"The scope of the area here is very wide, so we cannot confirm exactly when they can be arrested. However, we will continue to try to find them, including by building intensive communication with community leaders and the Cartenz Peace Task Force," he explained.

The police chief also expressed hope that the six inmates, with their own awareness, would immediately surrender to the authorities. He stressed that this step would facilitate the problem-solving process without having to involve firm action from the police.

"We really hope they have the awareness to surrender voluntarily. Thus, the police in the field can resolve this issue without having to take further action," he concluded.

The police continue to appeal to the public to remain calm but remain vigilant, and not be provoked by issues that cannot be accounted for related to the escape of these prisoners. The police also ensure that security in the Wamena area and its surroundings will remain a top priority in order to keep the situation conducive.