West Sumba Man Hacked to Death by Relatives in Customary Dispute
Martinus Wungo (47) was hacked to death by three relatives. The brutal assault took place in Patunu Ikut Village, Waipadi Village, Kodi Bangedo District, West Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
“The victim died after being hacked by one of his nephews and the other perpetrators were also related to him,” said West Sumba Regency Police Residency’s Reskrim Chief, Inspector Yakobus Kokleo Sanam, to detikBali on Sunday (31 May 2026).
Yakobus explained the attack began when Martinus was sitting with two suspects, identified as RM (60) and MD (48), at MD’s stilt house on Saturday (30 May). They were discussing customary rules regarding burial rites.
During the discussion, Martinus requested his right as an uncle in the burial proceedings to take back the remaining livestock. However, RM rejected his uncle’s request.
As Martinus attempted to leave for the yard, family members restrained him to prevent him from leaving and to mediate the issue. Martinus eventually agreed to mediation.
During mediation, RM refused and exited the house, performing a West Sumba traditional dance while drawing a machete. He then approached Martinus and hacked his right shoulder.
RM then fled to the back of the house. Martinus attempted to chase him but was stabbed in the left chest by another suspect, KJW, with a machete.
Simultaneously, MD also slashed Martinus’s left arm, causing him to fall to the ground and die at the scene. Upon receiving the report, police immediately arrived to secure the suspects and evidence related to the incident.
“The perpetrators’ actions stemmed from rejecting the victim’s request as an uncle under Sumba customary law, resulting in his death,” Yakobus stated.
Following the attack, RM and KJW were arrested and taken to West Sumba Regency Police Residency, while MD remains a fugitive and is being pursued.
“We are currently interviewing the suspects and witnesses. All evidence related to the incident has been secured for further processing. Both the victim and suspects are farmers,” Yakobus added.