Jayapura, Jubi – The Ndugama Derakma Command of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has confirmed the death of one of its members in a shooting between TPNPB and security forces at Kali Brasa, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Mountainous Papua Province, last Thursday (22/2/2024).
The commander of the battalion, Nabeanus Garebea, in a telephone call with Jubi on Saturday confirmed that the person killed by the joint Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police forces at Kali Brasa named Otniel Giban.
“Otniel was shot dead at Kali Brasa,” he said. According to Garebea, Otniel joined the TPNPB forces in 2019 and was part of the Battalion WSM.
On Friday, Chief of Cartenz Peace Operations, Sr. Comr. Faizal Ramadhani announced the name of Otniel Giban, also know as Bolong Giban, as a member of the TPNPB who died in the shootout at Kali Brasa on February 22.
“Based on examination of photos circulated on social media and video documents of past incidents, the TPNPB member killed in the shooting resembles the suspected TPNPB Otniel Giban who resides in Nduga Regency,” said Faizal.
Faizal stated that Otniel Giban was affiliated with the Wosak Battalion led by Yotam Bugiangge.
“He is also included in the Yahukimo Police’s fugitive list since August 2022,” said Faizal.
Cartenz Peace Operations spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Bayu Suseno meanwhile, said the police found numerous photo and video evidence from the raid conducted by Cartenz Peace Operations personnel at Kali Brasa on Thursday. Bayu also stated that there were several other pieces of evidence found on Otniel’s body.
“The evidence obtained includes a camouflage-colored shirt, a black-blue-red bracelet, a bracelet, four star-patterned bracelets, a necklace made of black string, two star-patterned necklaces, a silver ring, and a black-colored string,” said Bayu. The police claimed that Otniel Giban was involved in ten acts of violence between March 5, 2022, and February 17, 2024, including shootings, arson, and murder. (*)
