Jiwaka Province has successfully handed over 1,023 items—including high-powered factory-made firearms, homemade guns, and explosives—to police under the national firearms amnesty program. The surrendered arsenal is valued at an estimated K1.29 million.

The milestone was revealed by Senior Inspector Maureen Undaba, the Guns Amnesty Coordinator for the Highlands Eastern End. She provided the regional update during the Annual General Meeting of Western Highlands Ward Councillors.

Senior Inspector Undaba singled out the North Waghi District as the region's standout performer, accounting for 90% of the surrendered illegal weapons.

However, progress across the rest of the region remains varied:

Simbu Province: Despite extensive awareness campaigns, residents have refused to surrender weapons. Instead, communities are demanding upfront cash payments under the government's proposed gun buyback scheme.

Western Highlands Province:Operational efforts have been hampered by a severe lack of logistical support. Additionally, while some tribes have expressed a willingness to disarm, they are demanding that their rivals and enemies surrender weapons simultaneously.

Addressing the financial expectations of the public, Ms. Undaba clarified that local police do not hold cash to pay individuals on the spot. Instead, officers will officially evaluate the monetary value of all surrendered items and forward comprehensive reports to Police Headquarters in Port Moresby to facilitate the government-announced buyback.

The national firearms amnesty period has been officially extended to December 25. Consequently, police are preparing for an intense, renewed awareness campaign across the Western Highlands.

In response to the update, Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa commended the initiative and announced that his provincial government will allocate K200,000 to fund police logistics, ensuring the awareness and surrender programs can successfully reach all corners of the province.