Police Arrest 12 Perpetrators of Attack on Nakes in Tambrauw, West Papua English: Police Arrest 12 Perpetrators of Attack on Nakes in Tambrauw, West Papua

Acting Head of Public Relations of the West Papua Barat Daya Police, Kompol Jenny Setya Agustin Hengkelare (ANTARA/HO-Public Relations of the West Papua Barat Daya Police)

JAKARTA - The South West Papua Regional Police has arrested 12 suspected perpetrators of an attack on four health workers (nakes) in the Bamusbama area, Tambrauw Regency, South West Papua.

Acting Head of Public Relations of the West Papua Barat Daya Police, Kompol Jenny Setya Agustin Hengkelare said the arrest was made in a joint operation between the West Papua Barat Daya Police and the Tambrauw Police.

"A total of 12 people suspected of being involved in the attack on health workers have been secured and are currently undergoing intensive examination at the South West Papua Police," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, March 19.

The perpetrators, each with the initials TY (28), LY (57), SY (19), AY (44) who are known as the Head of Banfot Village, MY (29) as the Head of Bamusbama Village / Village, and BY, AY, TY, WY (49) a civil servant, PY (49), and YJ.

In addition to securing the perpetrators, the police also seized a number of items suspected of being used in the attack.

The evidence seized included seven air guns, seven machetes, four noken, three spears, one mat or sleeping mat, 11 arrows.

According to Kompol Jenny, the arrest was made after the police conducted an investigation and collected information from a number of witnesses at the scene.

"The joint team carried out a raid in the Bamusbama area based on the results of the initial investigation and community information," he said.

Regarding the legal status of the 12 people, the police stated that they were still in the stage of deepening to determine the role of each.

"Regarding their status as suspects, they are still in the process. Investigators are still investigating the involvement of each of them," he said.

Investigators are also still tracing the possibility of other perpetrators and the motive behind the attack on the health worker.

In addition, the alleged involvement of the suspected perpetrators with armed criminal groups (KKB) is still in the process of further investigation.

"The connection with certain groups is still being investigated. We will convey the next development after the examination process is completed," said Jenny.

Previously, an incident of an attack on four health workers by unidentified people (OTK) in Jokbu Village, Bamusbama District, Tambrauw Regency, South West Papua Province, Monday (16/3/2026) at around 11.37 WIT which killed two victims.