Koops Habema Hits OPM Leader Apeni Kobugau In Intan Jaya

Habema TNI Operations Command during a gun battle with OPM led by Apeni Kobogau in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province (HO-Humas Koops TNI Habema)

TIMIKA - Operational Command (Koops) of the Habema TNI succeeded in repelling the Free Papua Organization (OPM) led by Apeni Kobogau in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, because it has repeatedly disturbed the local community.

The Commander of the Joint Defense Region III Command (Pangkopwilhan III) Lt. Gen. Richard TH Tampubolon said the OPM led by Apeni Kobogau launched his action at the end of May 2024 in Kampung Bazemba and there was an action against each other.

"OPM led by Apeni Kobogau blocked the movement of TNI soldiers who were going to Kampung Bazemba by firing a shot," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, June 5.

According to Richard, TNI Habema Koops soldiers responded to the OPM shot led by Apeni Kobugau from Bazemba Village until he withdrew towards Wandoge Village.

"They repeatedly disturb security and comfort in this area, by forcibly taking people's belongings such as food and money and carrying out persecution," he said.

He explained that this had happened many times and made people unable, so they immediately reported it to Koops TNI Habema in order to get protection from the pressure and the disturbances they felt.

"After receiving reports from the public, we immediately took a quick action to deploy soldiers to save the people of Sugapa District, who at that time panicked and were afraid as a result of the OPM's actions," he said.

There were three OPMs led by Apeni Kobogau who were involved in shooting each other with the Habema TNI Koops troops and finally fled and left Wandoga Village.

"The success of taking action against the OPM led by Apeni Kobogau in Kampung Bazemba and Wandoga is an effort to create regional security to support the process of accelerating Papua's development," he said.