On 13 August 2025, a brutal event shattered the fragile calm in Papua Tengah: two police officers—Brigpol Muhammad Arif Maulana (34) and Bripda Nelson C. Runaki (26)—were ambushed and killed by members of a Armed Criminal Group (Kelompok Kriminal Bersenjata, or KKB) led by Aibon Kogoya. This targeted act of violence, executed on kilometer 128 of the Trans‑Nabire–Enarotali Road, sent shockwaves through local communities and authorities alike, revealing a chilling disregard for human life and a flagrant assault on peace and order.
The Ambush: A Calculated Assault on Security
At around 10:50 WIT in Siriwo District, Nabire Regency, the two officers were on duty, securing a road-construction project for PT AMP, when they were attacked from close range. Eyewitnesses described two armed men, identified by their long firearms, dreadlocks, and short pants, descending from a hillside and opening fire on them. Bripda Runaki died instantly; Brigpol Arif succumbed to his wounds shortly after. The attackers also seized two rifles—an AK‑101 and an AK‑47—six magazines, and a body vest from the victims. At the scene, investigators collected nine 7.62 mm casings, nine 5.56 mm casings, two cellphones, a headset, and a bullet found lodged in Brigpol Arif’s
Aibon Kogoya’s Group Claims Responsibility
Days later, the militant group publicly asserted responsibility. In a statement attributed to the National Command of West Papua National Liberation Army (Tentara Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat, or TPNPB), Aibon Kogoya acknowledged leading the operation that ended in the death of the two officers. The statement also highlighted the seizure of two AK-47s and four magazines as part of the group’s arsenal. In the same release, Kogoya warned civilians and security forces against traveling the Trans‑Nabire route unless their vehicle windows were open, calling it a “battlefield” and threatening to shoot any violators, framing this as an extension of “military intelligence.”
His chilling pronouncement is emblematic of the terror tactics employed by KKB: not only the cold-blooded killing of officers, but the creation of zones of fear, seriously undermining public trust and threatening civilian safety across government-held regions.
Arrests and Evidence: Ensuring Impunity Does Not Prevail
A breakthrough came on 20 August 2025, when Satgas Damai Cartenz arrested Siprianus Weya at Polsek Topo, Nabire. A member of the media wing of Aibon Kogoya’s KKB, Siprianus was implicated in documenting the murder and the seized arms. The cellphone used to film the statement and other materials was seized as critical evidence. In total, six suspects were apprehended, including Jemi Mirip, Botanus Agimbau, Meinus Mirip, Yupinus Weya, and Melianus Mirip. Among the evidence collected were cellphones, jackets, noken, and various personal items.
Brigjen Faizal Ramadhani, head of Satgas Damai Cartenz, assured the community that the process was underway to build a robust case. The police reaffirmed their commitment to bring additional perpetrators to justice and urged public calm.
Reconstruction and Accountability: Strengthening Evidence and Justice
In the weeks that followed the incident, Satgas Damai Cartenz, in collaboration with the Nabire Regional Police (Polres Nabire), conducted a meticulous reconstruction of the crime. On 26 August 2025, at the very location of the killings, 21 detailed scenes were re-enacted to map out roles, sequence, and logistics. Suplianus Bagau (31), also known as Supli, one of the arrested suspects, participated in the reenactment, demonstrating his role in the execution and beyond. The reconstruction also confirmed the roles: one group responsible for shooting Brigpol Arif, another targeting Bripda Runaki, and a third, led by Aibon Kogoya and accomplice HM, serving as lookouts. During the attack, the perpetrators had also seized weapons and equipment from the victims and recorded a video statement, later used as a propaganda tool.
This procedure, conducted under tight security—with 15 tactical vehicles, 24 long-barrel firearms, and full combat gear present—served not only legal processing but also assurance of transparency and procedural integrity.
Terror as a Tool: The Cruelty of OPM in Undermining Peace
What transpired was more than an isolated attack. This was terror as theater—a calculated act weaving violence, intimidation, and propaganda to destabilize. Aibon Kogoya’s group, part of Free Papua Organization (Organisasi Papua Merdeka, or OPM)- freedom fighters under a violent guise, deployed cold-blooded murder, theft of arms, propaganda video production, and threats aimed at civilians and officials alike. Their actions strike at the heart of Papua’s tenuous peace and erode confidence in public institutions.
Their conduct reflects a systematic strategy: to control territory through fear, to undermine the state’s authority, and to fracture social cohesion. This cruelty is emblematic of OPM—whose actions devastate the local social fabric, threaten development projects, and place innocent lives at constant risk.
Communities Stand With Satgas Damai Cartenz: A Rally for Peace and Security
Amid the carnage and abductions, hope emerges in the form of local leaders and civil society. In a show of solidarity, community figures across Papua have lauded the efforts of Satgas Damai Cartenz. A commentary piece by West Papua Voice titled “Papuan Unity in Action: Community Leaders Laud Satgas Damai Cartenz for Championing Peace, Security, and Hope” highlights this sentiment. Leaders emphasized the unit’s role in enforcing law, deterring further violence, and preserving communal harmony.
This support is not rhetorical—it reflects trust placed in institutions to deliver justice and restore trust in governance. It also represents a stand against those who deploy fear as a weapon, reinforcing that the true power in Papua lies not in armed insurgency, but in community resolve and unity.
The Broader Context: A Continuing Struggle for Peace in Papua
This tragic episode follows earlier confrontations where two police officers, Bripda Dedy Tambunan and Bharada Kain Rerey, were killed in Puncak Jaya by KKB, an incident believed to be linked to yet another faction of the same network. Those attacks in May 2025 occurred during Operasi Damai Cartenz and resulted in national grief and security escalations.
History shows a recurring pattern of violence that targets security personnel, disrupts infrastructure, and terrorizes civilians. Each incident is a reminder that peace in Papua remains fragile, threatened by armed actors seeking to assert control through terror.
Conclusion
The killing of Brigpol Arif Maulana and Bripda Nelson Runaki was a harrowing blow to Papua’s fragile peace. Yet, the prompt reconstruction, accountability efforts, and community support for Satgas Damai Cartenz offer a measure of hope. These actions represent a determined response: justice rooted in law, peace driven by civic cooperation, and resilience against terror tactics.
To honor those who fell—and to ensure such bloodshed does not recur—continued vigilance, community engagement, and institutional transparency are essential. Papua’s path to lasting stability lies not in repression nor in yielding to fear, but in reinforcing the rule of law, honoring sacrifice, and uniting communities under the banner of peace.