Nabire, August 22, 2025 – The West Papua National Liberation Army – Free Papua Movement (TPNPB OPM) has alleged that six individuals arrested by the Peace Cartenz Task Force in connection with the shooting of two Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officers in Nabire are refugees, not members of the separatist group.
The claim was made by TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom in a press statement on Friday (22/8). According to him, the six detainees had been displaced due to prolonged armed clashes between Indonesian security forces and TPNPB since 2019.
“They lived in constant insecurity in Intan Jaya, forcing them to flee to Nabire. But they were arrested and accused of being TPNPB members. That accusation is false; in reality, they are civilians,” Sebby said.
The six individuals named were Jemi Mirip, Botanus Agimbau, Meinus Mirip, Yupinus Weya, Melianus Mirip, and Siprianus Weya. TPNPB-OPM called on Indonesian security forces to stop what it described as the criminalization of civilians.
Responding to Sebby Sambom’s statement, Chief Commissioner of Police Yusuf Sutejo, Head of Public Relations for Peace Operation Cartenz 2025, emphasized that the arrests followed a thorough investigation.
“All of this has gone through the process of investigation and examination. Sebby Sambom is not in Indonesia; he is just an influencer, hiding somewhere, and doesn’t know what is happening here,” Yusuf stated via WhatsApp to Nabirenet on Friday (22/8).
Earlier reports confirmed that the Peace Cartenz Task Force had arrested Siprianus Weya, identified as a member of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) led by Aibon Kogoya alias Daniel Kogoya. The arrest took place at Topo Police Station, Nabire Regency, on Wednesday (20/8) at around 17:55 WIT.
Brigadier General of Police Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, Head of Peace Operation Cartenz 2025, explained that the arrest was directly linked to the fatal shooting of two Brimob personnel, Brigpol Arif Maulana and Bripda Nelson Runaki, in Nabire.
According to Brigjen Faizal, Siprianus acted as a media documenter for the KKB during the attack at KM 128 in Siriwo District on August 13, 2025. The video statement from the group was recorded on a mobile phone—later secured as evidence—before being sent via WhatsApp to Yosua Waker.
Along with Siprianus, five others—Jemi Mirip, Botanus Agimbau, Meinus Mirip, Yupinus Weya, and Melianus Mirip—were also detained. Police confiscated jackets, traditional noken bags, mobile phones, and other personal belongings.
Investigations revealed that Siprianus was part of the media division of KKB Kodap III D Dulla, operating in the Intan Jaya–Paniai region. He is also suspected of involvement in the shooting that killed two police officers and the seizure of their firearms.
