Tonga Police has offered a $5,000 pa’anga cash reward for information leading to the recapture of two escapees who fled the Central Police Station in Nuku’alofa on Sunday.
At a media briefing today at Tonga Police Headquarters in Tokomololo, Police Commissioner Geoff Turner sought the public’s assistance in locating these two escapees.
A 16-year-old boy was recaptured by police early Tuesday, 21 July, at Mataika. He was remanded in police custody in relation to theft offences.
The three males escaped from police custody at approximately 7:30pm.
Two escapees still on the run, are Liuaki Fungalei Kokohu Vi, 35, a New Zealand citizen of Tongan descent, and Adam Zabid Hussein, 35, a Fijian national.
Commissioner Turner said, “Today I'm here asking for public assistance in locating Liuaki Vi and Adam Hussein. I'm also announcing a reward of up to 5,000 TOP for information that leads to the arrest and capture of these two individuals.”
Both Vi and Hussein were remanded in police custody in relation to passport fraud.
The $5,000 bounty is for the recapture of each individual.
The police operation is known as Operation Trace.
Investigation into internal corruption
The Integrity Unit of Tonga Police and the Professional Standards Unit is undertaking a parallel investigation into the incident, including the possibility of internal corruption assisting the escapees, the Commissioner said.
“I will not comment on the progress of this internal investigation as due process must be observed.”
The Commissioner said police had earlier identified a potential risk in relation to the security of the cells at the Central Police Station.
He said they are working towards upgrading the cells and security at the Central Police Station.
He noted that “to be able to walk out of a station and pretty much disappear, there's got to be outside help.”
“As Commissioner it's really disappointing when things like this happen. And, you know, I give this commitment to Tonga that we will not sweep this under the carpet or look for other alternatives for a story.”
As police manhunt continue, members of the public with relevant information are urged to report to authorities by calling 922 or the mobile phone number 7401656. Commissioner Turner said the mobile number is also available 24 hours a day.
