Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and Member for Tari-Pori has today (28.02.25) thanked police in Tari for their immediate arrest of the suspect in the stabbing to death of a high school teacher in Tari, Hela Province.

Prime Minister Marape, in a personal message, said he was deeply aggrieved by the news of the death of the young teacher at his school, Hope Institute in Tari.

“To the family of my young teacher, Mr. Rickson Poko of Enga, I share deep tears for you with your family.

“Just last November, I was with him and the rest of the faculty at Hope Institute. Poko was an asset to us so we sent him to study post-graduate diploma in teaching, but we lost this young Unitech graduate to a senseless stabbing by a drunk on the roadside when he tried to stop an argument between two peo- ple,” said PM Marape.

Prime Minister Marape confirmed that the community had apprehended the suspect who is now in police custody at Tari police station.

“This death will be prosecuted and justice served to the fullest for the young life that was so senselessly taken.”

The Prime Minister asked the Tari community to host relatives of the deceased, who would be travelling to Tari from Enga to take the body home.

“All support will be given to the family to ensure the case is prosecuted. We will also support the family during the time of bereavement.

“The Tari District Peace & Good Order team will facilitate hearing of family grievances from the Melanesian customary perspective where relatives of the victim will place upon the relatives of the murderer,” he said.