Authorities Investigating KKB Kodap III Ndugama Involvement in Driver Murder

The Damai Cartenz Operation Task Force has revealed that the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) is suspected of being responsible for the murder of a long-distance driver on the route from Wamena to Mbua, Highland Papua, on Tuesday (15/09).

Kombes Yusuf Sutejo, Head of Public Relations for the Damai Cartenz Operation, stated that they are currently investigating information regarding the involvement of the KKB Kodap III Ndugama group, which is believed to have been operating near the scene of the incident.

“There is information pointing towards the Kodap III Ndugama group being in the vicinity of the location, but we still need to investigate and verify this information further,” he said in a written statement on Thursday (17/09).

He also refuted claims circulated by the KKB that the victim was a member of security forces’ intelligence. Yusuf ensured that such information is untrue and is merely propaganda spread as a pretext for the attack.

“The news stating that the long-distance driver was an intelligence officer is fake news or a hoax. The driver was indeed working as a driver and had been performing his job on that route for approximately 13 years,” he added.

Furthermore, from the crime scene investigation, authorities found several pieces of evidence, including one 5.56mm calibre long-barrel ammunition casing and a bag containing the victim’s identification.

Yusuf confirmed that the authorities will continue their investigation to identify and apprehend all perpetrators involved.

“We will continue our investigation to pursue and capture the perpetrators of this crime,” he concluded.

Previously, the driver of the vehicle on the Wamena-Mbua route, identified by the initials AS (41), was killed by the KKB on the Habema Main Road KM 32, Jayawijaya Regency, Highland Papua, on Tuesday (15/09).

The incident occurred while the victim, AS, was travelling from Ilekma to Mbua carrying essential commodities and nine passengers. At approximately 08:30 WIT, the group was allegedly intercepted by an armed group in the Habema area.

The victim was discovered on Wednesday (16/09) morning. The vehicle was found at the edge of a ravine, approximately 13 metres deep from the roadside, in a burnt condition. The victim was found inside the vehicle, also badly burnt.