Nabire, Central Papua – A somber atmosphere hangs over the Indonesian National Police after two Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officers from Battalion C Nabire were killed in an attack by an Armed Criminal Group (KKB) led by Aibon Kogoya. The incident occurred in Siriwo District, Nabire Regency, on Wednesday (August 13, 2025) at around 10:50 a.m. local time, while the two officers were carrying out a security assignment in the remote area.
The Peace Operation Cartenz Task Force team arrived at the scene and immediately conducted a crime scene investigation. Based on initial findings, the perpetrators, suspected to be members of the Aibon Kogoya-led KKB, opened fire at close range on the victims, Brigpol Muhammad Arif Maulana (34) and Bripda Nelson Runaki (26). Bripda Nelson died instantly, while Brigpol Arif, who had attempted to fight back, also succumbed to gunfire.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing two men with dreadlocks, armed with long-barreled firearms, wearing shorts, descending a hill on the right side of the incident location after the shooting.
In addition to claiming the lives of the two officers, the attackers seized two AK-101 rifles, six magazines, and one body vest. From the scene, authorities recovered nine 7.62 mm shell casings, nine 5.56 mm shell casings, two mobile phones belonging to the victims, a headset, and one projectile found in Brigpol Arif’s body.
Both fallen officers were well-known in their communities as friendly and approachable figures. Their passing leaves deep sorrow, especially as they were the primary breadwinners for their families and had been serving with dedication in a region with limited resources.
Head of Peace Operation Cartenz 2025, Brigadier General of Police Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, S.Sos., S.I.K., M.H., accompanied by Deputy Head of Peace Operation Cartenz, Chief Commissioner of Police Adarma Sinaga, S.I.K., M.Hum., expressed deep condolences and affirmed that law enforcement measures would be taken firmly.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two of our best officers. Firm and measured actions will be taken to pursue the perpetrators, particularly the Aibon Kogoya-led KKB group, and to ensure the security of the area,” he stated.
Head of Public Relations Task Force for Peace Operation Cartenz, Chief Commissioner of Police Yusuf Sutejo, S.I.K., M.T., urged the public to remain calm and vigilant.
“We urge all members of the public to entrust the law enforcement process to the authorities. Security is a shared responsibility, and the cooperation of the community is essential to keeping Papua safe and peaceful,” he emphasized.
The bodies of the two officers have been handed over to their families for burial. Meanwhile, security forces continue to hunt down the Aibon Kogoya-led KKB group and have intensified security along the strategic Trans Nabire–Paniai route to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
