Dekai, Yahukimo – A brutal attack that led to the death of a civilian named Yohanes Entamoi (39) in the Kali Merah area of Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan, prompted an immediate response from law enforcement. The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at approximately 13:59 WIT and was reported to the local police, leading the Yahukimo unit of the Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz 2025, led by IPDA Muhmad Hasan, to deploy promptly to the scene.
Upon arrival, the response team conducted a crime scene investigation and evacuated the victim to Dekai General Hospital for further medical handling. According to the initial medical assessment, the victim sustained fatal lacerations to the neck, face, right arm, and a deep cut on the left index finger. Entamoi was known as a woodworker residing in the Jalur 3 area and originally from Ambon.
Witness accounts revealed critical details. The first witness, identified by the initial “G”, stated that he and the victim were building a kiosk when two unidentified individuals suddenly launched an attack. The victim attempted to flee to the back of the house while the witness resisted briefly and then ran to seek help from the police.
A second witness, “N”, explained that she heard screams while inside her house near the construction site. Upon exiting through a side door, she saw two unknown attackers chasing the workers. One assailant, who had his face smeared with dirt and wore a traditional head covering (noken), threatened her with an axe but ultimately turned back to pursue the workers. Fearing for her life, she fled the scene and alerted the police.
During the investigation, officers secured multiple pieces of evidence including the victim’s blood-stained clothing, eyeglasses, belt, cap, and face mask. The body is scheduled for burial on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the Kilo 6 Public Cemetery in Yahukimo.
Head of Peace Operation Cartenz 2025, Brigadier General of Police Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, accompanied by Deputy Head of Operation, Chief Commissioner of Police Adarma Sinaga, condemned the act and assured that law enforcement is committed to pursuing the perpetrators.
“We are deeply concerned by this incident. Our team is working thoroughly to investigate the case and ensure the perpetrators are captured and brought to justice in accordance with the law,” stated Brigadier General Faizal.
Meanwhile, Head of Public Relation of Operation Peace Cartenz, Chief Commissioner of Police Yusuf Sutejo, revealed that this was the second act of violence targeting migrants in Dekai in just two days.
“Today, August 6, 2025, at around 13:40 WIT, a migrant named Yohanes Entamoi, a 39-year-old carpenter from Ambon, was killed by a slash to the neck,” said Chief Commissioner Yusuf.
He further elaborated that the surviving witness, Gabrielis Lifarius Ratu, narrowly escaped after being assaulted by the attackers wielding machetes and bows. According to the witness, the two unknown assailants approached with aggressive intent and appeared fully prepared to attack.
“Personnel from the Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz immediately responded to the location, evacuated the victim to Dekai General Hospital, and conducted tactical patrols around the area. An in-depth investigation is now underway to determine the identity and motive of the attackers,” he added.
Chief Commissioner Yusuf also referenced an earlier attack that occurred on Tuesday night, August 5, 2025, around 20:50 WIT. A Javanese man named Susmanto (32) was stabbed in the back by an individual named Lea in the New Market complex. The wound penetrated from back to front, but the victim survived after being evacuated to Dekai Hospital by nearby residents.
“Our personnel also responded to that incident by securing the scene and initiating a preliminary investigation,” he confirmed.
Law enforcement emphasized that no tolerance will be given to acts of violence against civilians, particularly those who come to the region to work peacefully.
“The police reaffirm that violence against civilians, especially peaceful migrant workers, will not be tolerated. We urge the public to remain calm, stay alert, and immediately report any information related to the perpetrators. Justice must be upheld, and peace must be maintained,” Chief Commissioner Yusuf concluded.
