DEKAI, YAHUKIMO- The whereabouts of two young men, Erus, also known as Ernes Wepsa, 27, and Natan Well, 18, have remained unknown since October 12, 2026. The case has drawn public attention in Yahukimo Regency after family members and local residents gathered at the Yahukimo Police Headquarters on Friday, October 16, to seek clarification about their whereabouts.
According to a report published by Suara Papua on October 16, the families alleged that the two men had been taken by Indonesian military or police personnel from their homes in the vicinity of the GIDI Sion Church complex in the Kali Merah area of Dekai District in the early hours of October 12. However, the allegations concerning who took the men, as well as reports that they had been assaulted and killed, had not been independently verified based on the information available.
The Secretary of the Yahukimo Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB), Rev. Maes Atbesenne Sub., S.Th., called on anyone with information about the two young men to contact their families or the humanitarian team from PGGY, which has reportedly been assisting with the case.
“We are looking for these two young men from the Mek tribe, who have been missing and have not been found to this day. There are traces of blood and bullet casings still at the location, but the bodies or the individuals themselves have not been found,” Maes said, as quoted by Suara Papua.
Maes urged anyone with information to come forward, whether the two men were found alive or dead. If they had died, he said, their bodies should be returned to their families so they could be laid to rest with dignity.
He emphasized that human dignity must be respected under all circumstances. Establishing the whereabouts of the two men, he said, was essential to providing their families with certainty and allowing them to determine the next steps.
Suara Papua also reported that the families, together with the PGGY humanitarian team, had submitted a written request to the Yahukimo Police seeking information about the case. According to the families, however, they had yet to receive an explanation that confirmed the whereabouts of Erus or Ernes Wepsa and Natan Well.
At approximately 10 a.m. local time on Friday, October 16, hundreds of residents and family members gathered at the Yahukimo Police Headquarters in Dekai. Carrying banners, they called for clear information about the two men’s whereabouts and requested the return of their bodies if they had indeed died.
The case has raised concerns about the safety of local residents, the need for clear information for affected families, and public confidence in law enforcement procedures. At the time Suara Papua published its report, the outlet said it had not received an official statement from the police or military in Dekai addressing the alleged removal of the two men or their whereabouts.
Clarifying the case will require a thorough verification process, including establishing the timeline of events, examining the information provided by the families, inspecting the reported location, and seeking confirmation from the relevant military and police units.
The reported traces of blood and bullet casings at the location also need to be examined by the competent authorities to establish their context and determine whether they are connected to the missing-person case.
Amid the circulation of information, residents are urged to remain calm and avoid treating allegations as established facts before the findings of a credible investigation are available. Open communication among the authorities, the families, religious leaders, and humanitarian representatives is essential to ensure that the search proceeds in an orderly manner and to prevent further misunderstandings.
The immediate priority is to establish the whereabouts and condition of Erus, also known as Ernes Wepsa, and Natan Well, provide their families with clear information, and follow up on all relevant leads through a transparent process in accordance with the law.
