Photo: ANDREW KUTAN
In Papua New Guinea the escape of a 13-year-old girl from a hostage situation on the border of Western and Hela provinces has boosted hopes for the rescue of her fellow captives.
The group of 10 people was taken captive early on Monday morning at Adujmari.
PNG Police Commissioner, David Manning, has called the perpetrators 'domestic terrorists' and warned that officers are able to use lethal force if needed to secure the release of the hostages.
Thirteen-year-old Aiyo's fellow captives were four adults - a teacher and his wife, and a health worker and his wife - along with another four school girls.
The Post Courier reports the kidnappers have demanded the government pay a ransom of half a million kina for the safe release of the captives.
Aiyo has told police that the kidnappers had threatened to harm the group if no money was forthcoming.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Commander Steven Francis, says officers are working around the clock to secure their safe release.
Locals in the Adujmari district have so far raised more than 11 thousand kina to try and negotiate the safe release of the group.
