Indonesia, West Papua – On 26 June 2025, a violent incident occurred at Karang Tumaritis Market in Nabire, Papua Tengah Province, following a disturbance involving intoxicated youths. Police officers fired live rounds and tear gas during the crackdown, resulting in the death of Mr Eko Ikomou and serious injuries to three civilians (see table of victims below). The use of force extended beyond the initial site of the disturbance, affecting uninvolved community members and bystanders.
Around 10:00 am, a group of seven intoxicated young men was reported causing a commotion at the Karang Tumaritis Market. The dispute triggered police intervention by the Dalmas unit of the Nabire Police, who arrested the assailant. In response, other intoxicated individuals began throwing stones at the officers. Thereupon, the police cracked down in surrounding residential areas, such as Karang Barat and Grimulyo. The raid zones were located beyond the market area.
During the subsequent raid, police officers fired tear gas and live ammunition, resulting in civilian injuries and arbitrary arrests. Notably, Mr Ikomou was killed by police officers in front of his home after returning from purchasing cooking oil (see photos below, source: independent HRD). Mr Manu Mote, a 40-year-old motorbike taxi driver from Deiyai, was shot in the left arm while returning home from the market. Mr Apedius Kayame, 22, was allegedly shot in the right leg near the Efata Church. An unknown civilian from Mapia was reportedly shot in the calf, suffering a bone fracture (see photos below, source: independent HRD).
Reports indicate that civilians from the Karang Barat and Grimulyo areas, both areas outside the immediate vicinity of the Karang Tumaritis Market, were targeted in the police raid. Local informants reported widespread panic as vendors and youth were dispersed with tear gas and arbitrary arrests, including two young men from Dogiyai.
Human rights analysis
This incident constitutes multiple serious violations of international human rights standards, including the right to life, freedom from torture and inhumane treatment, and the right to liberty and security of person under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The excessive and indiscriminate use of force by the Nabire police, particularly against civilians uninvolved in the initial disturbance, violates both Indonesian law and international norms, such as the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.
The extrajudicial killing of Mr Eko Ikomou, in particular, amounts to a grave human rights violation and may constitute an act of arbitrary deprivation of life under Article 6 of the ICCPR, to which Indonesia is a State party. The injury of other civilians through the reckless use of live ammunition further illustrates a disturbing pattern of a lack of proportionality in law enforcement operations in West Papua.
Table of victims during police crackdown at the Karang Tumaritis Market in Nabire on 26 June 2025 (see original document)