Banjir Ambarita, Jayapura – A man was murdered on Thursday after he allegedly refused to join the Free Papua Organization (OPM), police said.

"A resident was shot dead and his neck was slashed by the armed group," Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. I Gede Sumerta Jaya said on Friday in Serui City. "The victim refused to join the armed group led by Rudi Orehri, who often disturbs security and extorts some companies in Yapen [district]."

The victim, Loudrik Ayomi, was on a motorcycle with a relative when an armed group assaulted him on Thursday at 3 p.m., police said.

"He was shot and fell down. His relative sped up, [leaving him behind] because he was afraid," Sumerta said. "After shooting the victim, the perpetrators slashed his neck with a machete and left his remains on the street."

Witnesses told the police that the perpetrators concealed their faces with balaclava masks and carried rifles. Sumerta said that Yapen Police officers were still looking for the perpetrators as of Friday afternoon.