Jayapura, Jubi – Six civilians have been reported dead following a series of incidents in Moenamani, Kamuu District, Dogiyai Regency, Central Papua, between March 31 and April 2, 2026. Two others were seriously injured and remain in critical condition.
The victims were allegedly shot during a police sweep operation launched after a police officer, Jufentus Edowai, was killed on Tuesday (March 31, 2026). The officer died from severe injuries after being attacked by unidentified assailants in Kimupugi Village, Kamuu District, Dogiyai.
A Catholic seminarian undertaking pastoral orientation at St. Petrus Mauwa Parish in Dogiyai, Siorus Degei, identified the deceased civilians as Siprianus Tibakoto (25), who was shot in the head; Yulita Pigai (80), a disabled elderly woman, shot in the body; Martinus Yobe (14), an elementary school student, shot in the abdomen; Ankian Edowai (19), shot in the head; as well as Feri Auwe (20) and Yafet Tibakoto.
The two critically injured victims are Maikel Waine (12), shot in the chest with the bullet exiting through the shoulder, and Kikibi Pigai (20), who sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh.
According to Fr. Siorus Degei, the situation in Dogiyai remained tense and volatile as of Wednesday (April 1, 2026). Streets were largely deserted, while police forces maintained heightened security, conducted patrols, and restricted access to the town.
“They warned that any suspicious activity around Moenamani would be met with gunfire,” Degei said in a written statement on Thursday (April 2, 2026).
At the same time, groups of local youths reportedly set up blockades at key access points, including sections of the Nabire–Ilaga trans road and several border areas. Roads were obstructed using stones, timber, and other materials, effectively disrupting inter-district and inter-village connectivity.
The blockades were reportedly triggered by circulating information that a convoy of joint military and police personnel was heading toward Dogiyai from neighboring regencies.
Meanwhile, according to Fr. Siorus Degei, groups of youths have taken positions at several strategic points across the area. They were seen guarding main roads, including the Nabire–Ilaga trans route in Puncak Regency, while a number of border access points have been blocked since the previous night. These include the Deiyai–Dogiyai border at Mount Iyadimi, as well as the boundary areas of Ugapuga in East Kamuu and Idakebo in North Kamuu District.
Youth groups also remain on alert at Mount Odiyaidimi, a key eastern access point into Dogiyai, and at Mount Degeidimi to the west.
In addition, they have obstructed sections of the main roadway—some of which were already damaged—by placing large rocks, logs, and other materials to block key routes connecting regencies, districts, and villages.
There is also road closures that were carried out following reports that a convoy of around 10 vehicles carrying joint TNI–Polri personnel was heading toward Dogiyai from Paniai and Deiyai regencies.
Fr. Siorus Degei added that between April 1 and April 2, 2026, Dogiyai experienced a significant wave of internal displacement.
Many residents living around Moanemani town fled to stay with relatives outside the area, while some families sought refuge in nearby mountainous areas to ensure their safety.
Dogiyai intellectual Benny Goo described the incident as a “bloody event” that claimed innocent civilian lives. He urged authorities to identify those responsible for the killing of the police officer, warning that the violence could escalate into broader conflict.
“There may be actors attempting to create instability and provoke horizontal conflict among communities in Dogiyai,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Dogiyai Community Coalition called on authorities to immediately investigate the killing of Bripda Edowai and urged Jermias Rontini, Chief of Central Papua Police, to dismiss the Dogiyai Police Chief.
During a hearing at the Central Papua Police Headquarters in Nabire on Thursday (April 2, 2026), coalition leader Andrias Gobai also demanded a halt to further shootings, a transparent investigation into the deaths of six civilians, and no additional troop deployments to Dogiyai.
Responding to the demands, Rontini said a comprehensive investigation would be conducted involving neutral parties to uncover the circumstances behind both the killing of the police officer and the civilian casualties. He added that the Deputy Police Chief of Central Papua had been deployed to Dogiyai to assist in stabilizing the situation.
“In the course of the upcoming investigation, the police chief has called for support from all parties. Today, the Deputy Chief of Central Papua Police has also been deployed directly to Dogiyai to assist in maintaining public security and order,” said Andrias Gobai.
Moreover, Dogiyai Police Chief Yocbeth Mince Mayor stated that the overall security situation is now “safe and under control,” although patrols and monitoring continue to prevent further incidents.
“The overall situation is now relatively safe. The Central Papua Police Chief has already delivered a statement, and we are adjusting accordingly,” said Police Commissioner Yocbeth Mince Mayor in a brief text message.
However, Mince Mayor did not respond when Jubi requested official police data on the number of fatalities and injured victims.
Earlier, Central Papua Police Chief Jermias Rontini stated that a police officer, identified as AR (23), sustained a gunshot wound from a PCP air rifle to his left shoulder while on patrol along the Nabire–Enarotali road in Ikamenida Village. The incident occurred in the aftermath of an attack that resulted in the death of Jufentus Edowai.
Rontini also reported that on the evening of March 31, a group of residents attacked the Dogiyai Police headquarters using arrows and stones.
“The incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m. local time, and one officer, identified as AY (22), was struck by an arrow in the upper right shoulder,” he said on Wednesday (April 1, 2026).
He urged the public to remain calm, not be provoked by circulating information, and to place their trust in security authorities.
Discussion about this post