Prime Minister James Marape has strongly condemned the recent violent incident in Goilala, where a man was brutally killed during a tribal dispute, and has urged all Papua New Guineans to respect the rule of law and refrain from taking revenge or vigilante actions.

The Prime Minister expressed deep concern over the disturbing footage of the incident, which went viral on social media, and emphasised that violence is never the solution to resolving disputes in communities.

“I want to be very clear: no one has the right to take the law into their own hands. We are a Christian nation, and our faith teaches us to resolve conflicts peacefully. Revenge and violence only bring more suffering to our communities,” PM Marape said.

The Goilala District in Central Province has a long history of tribal conflicts, often triggered by land disputes, family disagreements, or traditional rivalries. The recent incident, which occurred in early January 2025, involved members of the same tribe in a dispute over a longstanding issue.

The victim was reportedly attacked and killed by members of his own community, and the gruesome footage that circulated online created public outrage, with some media reports misrepresenting the incident as cannibalism.

PM Marape clarified that the narrative of cannibalism was taken out of context and urged both local and international media to report responsibly.

“The incident was tragic, but I want to correct the narrative. This was not an act of cannibalism, as some reports have suggested. It was a tribal dispute that escalated into violence, and those responsible will be held accountable,” he said.

The Prime Minister stressed that law and order is a shared responsibility and urged citizens to

report disputes to the police rather than resort to violence.

“I appeal to all citizens: if you have a grievance, report it to the nearest police station. Taking matters into your own hands will only lead to further suffering and legal consequences. Our police force is working hard to bring those responsible for the Goilala incident to justice,” he said.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that police resources remain limited in some areas but assured the public that the government is working to strengthen law enforcement capacity across the country.

“While our police officers may face logistical and manpower challenges, they are committed to upholding the law and ensuring justice. I urge communities to support the police by providing information and avoiding retaliation,” PM Marape said.

As Papua New Guinea approaches its 50th Independence Anniversary, the Prime Minister urged citizens to use this milestone as an opportunity to renew their commitment to peace and unity.

“Our founding fathers built this nation on hope, determination, and unity. As we celebrate 50 years of independence, let us not allow violence and lawlessness to define us. We must remain committed to peaceful living and respect for the rule of law,” he said.

PM Marape reiterated the government’s ongoing efforts to address law and order issues, including improving police services, introducing community-based policing initiatives, and supporting conflict resolution programmes at the community level.

“Addressing law and order is not just the government’s responsibility; it starts with every citizen. Let’s work together to build a safer, more peaceful PNG, where disputes are resolved through dialogue and legal processes, not violence,” the Prime Minister said.