Youth’s road block and demand money from transport providers in west Kwaio

Seven drunken youths from west Kwaio erected roadblock at Bira Bridge and demanded money from transport providers on 10 September 2022.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) National Security and Operation Support (NSOS) Mr Ian Vaevaso says, “This has happened to my two officers who were part of an awareness team from the Electoral Commission Office carrying out awareness and pinning of notices at ward 26 and 27 in west Kwaio purposely for the bye-election.”

DC Vaevaso says, “When they arrived at Bira Bridge they were met by seven youth’s drunk and demanding money from public vehicles passing through. My officer, seeing that they had obstructed public transport carrying passengers to west Are Are, they intervened to explain to those suspects."

Mr Vaevaso says, “The youths confronted my officer with a bush knife and even rocked my two officers during the incident. A suspect damaged a hired vehicle used by the Electoral Commission which was driven by police.

He further adds: “The vehicle sustained damage to its wind screen and left side mirror, however fearing for the safety of two officers and one official from the Electoral Commission, they withdrew and came back safely to Auki.”

“An investigation into this matter is continuing and

appeals to the chiefs and Church leaders to bring in those seven suspects.

Police know those suspects and their homes. I would again appeal to those seven suspects to voluntary surrender to the Police or they will face the full force of the Law,” says dc Vaevaso.