We are lucky to be alive.

This statement was made by the one of the three victims of an alleged Nabua gang attack that happened yesterday.

They said they were lucky to have escaped the alleged incident even though they had sustained injuries.

Jone Baleisuva, 22, and Ratu Emosi Rika, 21 of Makoi in Nasinu fell victims of the gruesome alleged incident that landed them at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva.

A third victim, Semiti Funaki, 22, remains admitted in hospital.

When the Fiji Sun visited the scene of the attack at the Mead Road Blocks in Nabua yesterday, blood stains were still visible on the pillows, floor and walls of the flat where the alleged incident took place.

Residents in Nabua housing were awoken in fear after 3 man attacked a group of freinds while they were asleep. Photo- Leon Lord

Mr Baleisuva said they had visited a friend at the blocks and were drinking alcohol at a flat belonging to a Mitieli Waisu who was a relative of his friend.

He added that they consumed two bottles of wine and a bottle of rum.

Mr Baleisuva said he was drinking with two other workmates, and four women. Two of the women lived in the blocks.

“It was around 3.30am and we had just knocked out while the owner of the flat was the only one awake. We then heard a loud crash as if someone had kicked the door of the house open,” he said.

One of the three victims attacked, Jone Baleisuva showing his head injury. Photo: Inoke Rabonu

“A group of men entered forcefully and started pointing at me and my two other male friends, they attacked us, punched us and hit our heads using a diving torch and some other heavy objects. We really didn’t know what it was.”

Mr Baleisuva said before the incident happened, a drunkard man who claimed to be the brother of one of the women they were drinking with was continuously checking on them.

“This man made repeated rounds up to the flat where we were drinking and he kept telling me and my workmates to join their drinking party.

“I kindly refused his offer and he kept going and coming back.”

He said it was unfortunate that the owner of the flat had not tried to help them after they were outnumbered by the group of men that attacked them.

“We tried to save and defend ourselves but we were so weak as the punches kept flying into our faces and a heavy object constantly being smashed on our heads.

“We looked around for the owner of the flat and he also tried to escape and leave us to suffer by ourselves.”

The second victim, Ratu Emosi Rika, said the only thing he remembered was a man hitting his head with a diving torch.

“After I got hit on the head, I could not feel anything, it seemed like I was lying motionless on the floor.

“My left side could not move, and I could not defend myself from all the punches that flew my way.”

He said he was only grateful that he made it out alive.

Meanwhile, flat owner, Mitieli Waisu said that he fled the scene because he feared for his life and was shocked at what was happening before his eyes.

Flat owner at Block One Mitieli Waisu shows the blood-stained pillow that one of the
victims was sleeping on at the time of the alleged attack. Photo: Leon Lord

Mr Waisu claimed the group of men that had forcefully attacked the victims also lived in the blocks in Mead Road.

He also claimed that he made three attempts to contact the Nabua Police Station but there was no response and he was informed that there was no Police vehicle.

Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu said a full investigation will be conducted to verify his claims.

The victims Jone Baleisuva and Ratu Emosi Rika were released yesterday afternoon from the hospital after being treated.

Police say no arrests have been made with regards to the incident as the alleged perpetrators are still on the run.

Police investigations continue.

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

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