An Australian university professor has been taken hostage in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, Papua New Guinea’s prime minister has confirmed. The Australian is an archaeologist who works for an Australian university and was accompanied on the field trip by several Papua New Guinean students from a local university who were also taken hostage, two sources with knowledge of the incident.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape told local reporters on Monday that the police and army were on alert and the government was working with missionaries who acted as intermediaries.
Marape says “We want those criminals to release those who are being held captive,” he said in comments broadcast, “There is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide”.
The man has not been publicly identified due to the sensitivity of the situation. A source in Papua New Guinea told that the situation was at a “crucial moment” and they could not comment further. A ransom is believed to have been demanded. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Read Now :<strong>Meta to test ‘Meta Verified’ monthly subscription for $11.99</strong>
