Body Found in Vacant Lot

Residents of Naodamu in Labasa are in shock after a body was found lying motionless at a vacant land yesterday morning.

A neighbour, Leniana Dibe, said the incident was expected because of the recent routine drinking par­ties by youths in the area.

"Every Friday and weekends there is always drinking at the vacant land, residents are getting used to it week in week out," Ms Dibe said.

Ms Dibe said she was returning from work on Saturday night at 11pm, when she saw a group play­ing their music box and drinking alcohol at the vacant lot.

"I did not say anything but walked hurriedly past them," she said.

"At lam yesterday (Sunday) I woke up and saw them still party­ing, there was no sign of any con­flict breaking out.

"I was shocked to see the police early morning cordoning the area and was told that a body was found there."

Ms Dibe claimed police visibil­ity in the area was limited despite residents urging for police patrols.

A policeman guards the vacant lot in Naodamu, Labasa, where the body was discovered on January 19, 2025. Photo: Sampras Anand

"Now that this has happened, maybe there will be more police presence in the area to chase away those who come and drink alcohol and create noise there," she said.

"After clubbing, they would come to this vacant land, drink more al­cohol and play the music box."

Police

Acting Divisional Police Com­mander (DPC) North, Superinten­dent of Police (SP) Eroni Soqosoqo, confirmed the incident; he said the matter is being investigated.

SP Soqosoqo said around 8:30am yesterday, an unknown caller rang and reported that the body of a male iTaukei was found at a vacant land at Block 9, Naodamu.

"The body is yet to be identified," SP Soqosoqo said.

While there were no visible inju­ries on the body, SP Soqosoqo said the forensic team have not ruled out the possibility of foul play.

"The post mortem examination will determine the cause of the death," he said.

Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj