Police Concerned Over Rise in Body Discoveries

The Fiji Police have expressed serious concerns over the recent trend of dead body discoveries.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Livai Driu described the situation as deeply troubling.

On June 15, Police discovered the body of 20-year-old Elina Naidike in Lautoka, with visible injuries found on her face.

On June 3, the body of Tavua taxi driver Nitesh Kumar was found in the Matalevu creek in Tavua after being reported missing by his family members.

His taxi was found near the Dokana-i-Suva Police Post near Sakoca, Tamavua, near Suva.

Police treated the case as an alleged murder.

On May 1, a gruesome discovery was made in Vusuya, Nausori, where the decapitated body of Naibuka Serulaqeti, 29, was found in a farm near his home.

Mr Serulaqeti’s head was found prior to the remaining parts of his body during the discovery. He was reported missing from home seven days prior to the discovery.

On April 5, in Tavuki Village, Taveuni, a man was found dead in a pool of blood inside his own home with multiple severed cuts on his body.

On March 19, police suspected foul play when the body of 28-year-old Amitendra Kumar of Vunivau, Labasa, was found at Waisali Hill in Savusavu.

Mr Kumar failed to return home after driving his taxi.

A witness spotted the man’s taxi was found near the natural water source towards Savusavu.

His body was found further down the hill after the witness followed a trail of blood.

The 33-year-old taxi driver who was reported missing, was allegedly murdered.

Fiji Police Force

When queried on the recent discoveries ACP Crime Driu said criminal elements of such were factors of the illicit drug problem.

“Drugs is also a contributor to serious offences that are committed like a simple grab and run, robbery with violence, burglaries but not all,” ACP Driu said.

“According to some of our cases, some of our murder cases we cannot always come into conclusion that it is a result of drugs but they are sources of such criminal acts.”

ACP Driu pleaded with Fijians to be wary of their surroundings and the people they associated themselves with.

“The only thing we are pleading with Fijians is that they need to take ownership of where they are, where they live and the people they associate themselves with. We should be responsible citizens.

“We need to report anything that we sense is wrong going on in our communities. We all have a role to play. It’s a concerted effort, we need to work together every one of us.”

He added police investigation on the cases continue.

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