Inmate Convicted of Killing Police Officer Recaptured After Escaping Wamena Prison

Ferly Wesabla, also known as Ferlin (22), an inmate and member of the Kelompok Kriminal Bersenjata (Armed Criminal Group, KKB) in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan, has been recaptured by the Operasi Damai Cartenz Task Force (Satgas ODC).

Wesabla, who had escaped from Wamena Prison on 25 February 2025, was apprehended on Monday afternoon, 16 March 2026, near the Yahukimo Regional Government residential area in Dekai. When authorities moved to secure him, he attempted to flee and hide in the surrounding bushes, but was eventually captured following a pursuit.

Ferly Wesabla was one of six inmates who escaped from Wamena Class IIB Prison and is affiliated with KKB Kodap XVI Yahukimo, Batalyon Yalennang. According to Komisaris Besar Polisi Yusuf Sutejo, the spokesperson for the Operasi Damai Cartenz Task Force, Wesabla was convicted in connection with the 2024 murder of Bripda Oktovianus Buara, a member of Yahukimo Police District.

The other inmates who escaped from Wamena Prison alongside Wesabla include Penias Heluka, also known as Kopi Tua, who is one of the KKB leaders in Yahukimo, as well as Nelis Helika bin Hendrik Heluka, Rio Elopere bin Jani Elopere, Ariel Sonyap (also known as Simon Sonyap), Segius Asso, and Welinton Kogoya, also known as Ula. However, Welinton Kogoya was apprehended shortly after whilst still in the vicinity of the prison.