A 24-year-old male victim is hospitalized after a 25-year-old male suspect attacks him with a cocoa harvesting knife in Malaita province

Auki police have arrested a 24-year-old male suspect for the alleged attack of a 24-year-old male victim at Kwaimela village in Central Kwara’ae recently.

The incident occurred after an argument between the suspect and the victim, where it was also alleged that the suspect went to the victim’s pig fence and killed one of his pigs without any reason.

The victim went after the suspect to ask him at his market stall, and all of a sudden, the suspect came with a bush knife and a cocoa harvesting knife and attacked him.

Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC) of Malaita Province, Superintendent Michael Ramosaea, said the suspect struck the victim with a cocoa harvesting knife on the left side of his cheek, and he sustained a large open cut. Another attack landed on the victim’s head.

PPC Ramosaea said the relatives of the victim rushed to assist him, and this is when the suspect stopped attacking the victim. The victim was rushed to Kilifi Hospital and was admitted for two weeks.

Superintendent Ramosaea said the suspect allegedly had a long history of consuming kwaso (homebrew), brewing kwaso, and smoking marijuana.

Mr. Ramosaea said Auki police have been working tirelessly on his court documents for the remand application.

He also appealed to community leaders to assist the police in reducing such criminal activity in the communities and also applauded police officers for the good work.

“I strongly warned people who would like to take matters into their own hands that police will certainly come after you no matter how long it takes,” the provincial chief said.