Police arrests and remands the accused in relation to the Koa Hill bus stabbing incident

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Central Police Station in Honiara City have arrested, charged and remanded the accused in relation to the bus stabbing incident that occurred on 19 January 2023 at Koa Hill area.

RSIPF Commissioner Mr Mangau says, “The 20 years-old accused was brought into police custody by his immediate relative on 17 March 2023.

Commissioner Mangau encourages such working together with police. Police appreciate relatives of the suspect for bringing him to the police. He is still innocent till proven guilty by the court.

“It was alleged that on 19 January 2023 late afternoon, the 19 years-old victim was on his way home on a public bus. The victim and the defendant sat next to each other right behind the bus driver seat. The bus stopped over at Koa Hill bus stop when the incident took place,” says Mr Mangau.

Commissioner Mangau says, “The accused grabbed the victim’s phone and tried to escape but the victim grabbed onto him. They were struggling in the bus with the phone when everyone else in the bus looked on and did nothing. Both the accused and the victim were in the bus when the accused stabbed the victim.”

The victim dropped off at his bus stop and was helped by some boys and other public buses who were there and rushed him to the National Referral Hospital.

The Police Chief appeals to the good of people of Solomon Islands, it is time for us to intervene when we see an offence being committed and call police to attend. This way we can put criminals away and cause fear of any similar incident to reoccur.

The suspect is now remanded at the Rove Correctional facility and will reappear at Honiara Central Magistrates’ Court on 3 April 2023.