Post Courier: Musingku deserted! BOUGAINVILLE'S self-proclaimed...

Post Courier: Musingku deserted!

BOUGAINVILLE'S self-proclaimed king Noah Musingku has reportedly been deserted by his soldiers following last week’s exchange of gunfire and the burning of police property in South Bougainville. In what may be a positive turn of events, Buka police station commander Sergeant Oscar Tugen said Musingku’s men have abandoned him, returning to their villages or finding ways to escape arrest by police. “Many of Musingku’s soldiers are leaving him and returning to their villagers,” said Sgt Tugen He said this was because they have realised Musingku was lying to them. Sgt Tugen confirmed that guns used in last week’s attack were all high-powered rifles that reportedly belonged to Musingku. He said most of the men did not know what they were doing in Siwai and carried out the attack because they were instructed by Musingku to do so. “We believe that Musingku is the main supplier of the firearms and also know that he is the key to smuggling weapons across the PNG-Solomon Islands border,” Sgt Tugen said. “At the moment, Musingku and a few of his faithful men are under great pressure to provide around the clock security at the perimeter as the general public and ex-combatants in South Bougainville are keeping a close watch on them,” said Sgt Tugen. Sgt Tugen also appealed to the remaining five Fijians and the rest of Musingku’s fraction to surrender. He said if Musingku and his men did not comply, police and ex-combatants will do whatever they can to bring in Musingku and his men. “The police and ex-combatants are in the interest of safeguarding the peace process and the government of the day. We know that ABG is right at our back and we will only act upon what instruction is given,” said Sgt Tugen. He said from past experiences, he understood it was in the best interest of the ABG and the people of Bougainville not to let the situation repeat itself again. Meanwhile, former Bougainville Resistance Force members demanded the Autonomous Bougainville Government address the U-Vistract problems on Tonu before ex-combatants take the law into their own hands. Paramount chief in Wakunai Paul Akoitai said they were ready to handle the situation, even if it meant using weapons. Mr Akoitai said this problem was disturbing the peace.