The Hela Provincial Police Command has launched Operation Hela Gun -Free (Operation Order 03/2026), a province-wide firearms and weapons Amnesty program.
Officially opened on 18 September 2026 at Andaija oval in Tari by Police Minister Sir John Pundari, the voluntarily gun surrender program will run through 25 December 2026 under the theme: “Hand Your Gun In. Protect Your People. Choose Peace.”
Hela Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Inspector Arau Mairi wants all factory-made firearms, homemade guns, ammunition, magazines, and parts including bows, arrows, spears, and wire catapults to be surrendered voluntarily.
“No arrests for the weapons you hand in. No search of persons attending. No cordon-and-search in your community on event day. You will be issued a numbered receipt to keep it.
“You will not be charged for having these guns because you have handed the guns voluntarily. The weapons can also be handed in through a church or community leader on your behalf with the same protection.”
PPC Mairi urged the public to surrender their weapons in their respect districts or police stations as the gun surrender awareness program runs in following order:
Tari-Pori district from 24th to 30th September 2026.
Koroba-Lake Kopiago district -01st to 12th October
13-24th October - Parliament session/No field activities
Komo-Hulia district - 25th to 06th November
Magarima district - 08th - 11th November
Final Provincial follow-up, surrender & reintegration - 12th November to 25th December 2026.
PPC Mairi said after 25th December is an enforcement period as the amnesty closes with a Final Close-Out at Andaija Oval on 25 December and after this date, all protection ends.
He noted that the lists of persons still holding on to the firearms will be passed to the targeted operations; the Kumul 23 Special Operations will be deployed, and cordon-and-search will resume.
“Nogat Gun, Nogat Traibal Fait. A borrowed or hired gun in your hands is still yours in law. Bring it in.”
PPC Mairi urged everyone to work together with the police and make Hela safe again by choosing peace, education, and their children.