OPM Leader Abdon Kisamdu Arrested at Yahukimo Airport

The Deputy Commander (Wadanyon) of the OPM Kodap 35 East Star Battalion, Abdon Kisamdu, has been arrested at Nop Goliat Airport, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua. He was apprehended while attempting to procure firearms in Yahukimo.

“The Deputy Commander of TPNPB-OPM Kodap 35 East Star, Abdon Kisamdu, has been successfully captured. He was arrested while attempting to purchase firearms,” stated the Commander of the III Regional Defence Joint Command (Pangkogabwilhan III), Lieutenant General TNI Lucky Avianto, as reported on Saturday (19/09/2026).

Abdon Kisamdu was arrested shortly after landing at Nop Goliat Airport, Dekai, Yahukimo, on Saturday at 14:59 WIT. He had previously been a target of operations as he was on the Indonesian National Police (Mabes Polri) most wanted list.

“Prior to the arrest operation against Abdon Kisamdu, who had long been on the National Police’s most wanted list, TNI troops first secured the entry and exit points of Nop Goliat Airport, Dekai,” he explained.

Lucky stated that the arrest began following information regarding Abdon’s presence aboard Trigana Air flight PK-YSC, a Boeing 737-500, which was due to land in Dekai. TNI personnel intercepted Abdon immediately after he disembarked from the aircraft and moved him to an isolation room at Nop Goliat Airport.

“Abdon Kisamdu admitted that his purpose in travelling to Dekai was to conduct a transaction to purchase a number of firearms from an individual in the Kali Seng area, Yahukimo. The veracity of Abdon Kisamdu’s confession regarding the intent to purchase firearms was confirmed by evidence of conversations found by TNI personnel on the gadget belonging to the Deputy Commander of TPNPB-OPM Kodap 35 East Star,” he added.