YAHUKIMO – A typical school morning at YPK Yakpesmi Junior High School in Dekai suddenly turned tense when a violent incident claimed the life of a civilian, leaving deep sorrow among the victim’s family, teachers, and students.
The incident occurred on Monday, January 2, 2026, at around 09:00 WIT on Seradala Road Km 03, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua. The victim was identified as Daniel Datti, SE (41), originally from Makale, Toraja, who at the time was working on making desks and chairs for the school.
Based on medical examination results, the victim suffered multiple serious injuries to the head, back, and both knees. In addition to the fatality, the incident also involved vandalism, including broken windows in a Grade XII classroom at SMP YPK Yakpesmi and damage to the rear window of a red vehicle caused by stone throwing.
Witnesses stated that the incident began with the sound of gunfire coming from behind the school. The victim attempted to flee toward the teachers’ room but was chased by three armed perpetrators—one carrying a long homemade firearm, another wielding an axe, and a third recording the attack on a mobile phone. The assault took place inside the teachers’ room before the perpetrators fled toward the rear of the school complex.
Upon receiving the report, investigators from the Yahukimo Police Criminal Investigation Unit immediately responded to secure the crime scene, evacuate the victim, question witnesses, and collect evidence. The victim’s body was transported to Dekai Regional Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Evidence collected from the scene and hospital included glass fragments, stones, the victim’s clothing, and metal fragments suspected to be projectile remnants.
The Head of Operation Damai Cartenz 2026, Brigadier General of Police Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, expressed deep condolences over the incident, particularly as it occurred within an educational environment.
“We deeply mourn the loss of the victim. Schools must be safe spaces for everyone. At present, joint security personnel are focused on conducting an intensive investigation to identify the perpetrators and ensure the community’s safety,” he said.
He emphasized that the presence of security forces in Yahukimo will continue to be strengthened through both overt and covert security measures to prevent similar acts of violence.
Deputy Head of Operation Damai Cartenz 2026, Senior Commissioner of Police Adarma Sinaga, added that coordination with the school and local community leaders was carried out immediately after the incident.
“We want to ensure that teachers, students, and nearby residents feel safe. We are prioritizing a dialogical approach alongside firm law enforcement efforts against those responsible,” he stated.
As of now, police are still working to identify the perpetrators, who remain under investigation. Authorities have assured that the legal process is ongoing and that security conditions in Dekai are being maintained so that community activities, especially educational activities, can resume safely.
