Five (5) police officer based in Manus Province have been arrested and charged in relation to the murder-case of a colleague, Late Constable Ralwin Lamu, who died on May 5th, 2021.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Crimes Hodges Ette confirmed that the five individuals, four Manus-based police officers and an ex-Manus-based police officer charged are now in police custody in Manus and appeared in court yesterday. The court adjourned their case to January 26th, 2026.

Moreover, ACP Ette pointed out in police reports that allegedly on May 5th, 2021, the deceased was attacked while on a boat heading to N'dilau for a job. He said that while on board, the suspects were seen hitting the deceased with hard objects at locations near the village.

"From information obtained by police after executing their task, they returned to Manus Police Station. Before they reached the shore, they found out that the late Lamu was not talking, so they called for a police vehicle to assist.”

“When they reached the shore, they transported him in a waiting police vehicle to Manus Provincial Hospital. At the hospital, he was pronounced dead. A police complaint was registered, which my officers went to Manus to carry out the investigation that led to the arrest of the five after four years,” Ette said.

He added that the five were charged with murder and are currently detained at Manus Police Station.