Incident at Totogo Police Station an isolated one, remain calm - Tikoduadua

Minister for Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua stresses that the incident at Totogo Police Station is an isolated one and the motive behind the attack has not been ascertained yet as the police are investigating the matter.

The Minister urges the public to remain calm and confident in their commitment to maintaining peace and security as they remain steadfast in their commitment to ensure that Fiji remains safe and secure for all its citizens and residents

He says the security forces are always on alert and will not allow the actions of one individual to intimidate or deter them from their duty.

Tikoduadua also encourages everyone to refrain from speculating or spreading unverified information which might lead to unnecessary panic or misinformation.

The 33-year-old self-employed man who allegedly threw a bottle containing fuel into the Totogo Police Station early yesterday morning is admitted at the CWM Hospital, receiving treatment for burns.

Tikoduadua says the man threw a lit bottle filled with flammable liquid into the charge room, and in his attempt to throw another bottle he was apprehended.

Tikoduadua says the suspect remains under police guard, and upon his recovery, he will be taken back into custody.

He states that their utmost priority is the safety and security of the people of Fiji as such acts of violence and attempts to disrupt the peace have no place in our society.

When questioned regarding the assault and stomping while apprehending the suspect and whether the Totogo Police Station have fire extinguishers as a video shows that officers did not deal with the flames quickly using an extinguisher, the Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew says they will conduct their investigations as the police had tried their best to apprehend the suspect and a member of the public also came to assist.

Chew also says that the Totogo Police Station has fire extinguishers inside the police station however, the incident happened outside the station.

It is alleged that the man lit a fire right across the road leading to the police station, and two vehicles were also parked in close proximity of the fire.

He then allegedly threw a bottle of fuel into the police station.

An officer is also seen in the video using a shield and unable to extinguish the flames.