Nine students of Navesau Adventist High School are part of a group that has been recognised for assisting Police with the arrest of a 22- year-old man charged with aggravated robbery, assault, damaging property and common nuisance after erecting an illegal roadblock near Navesau last month.
One of the students was 19-year-old McVeigh Mainu from Papua New Guinea.
They helped Police officers arrest the accused who went into hiding and was arrested the day after.
Mainu and Year 12 student Simione Waqa who was also injured in the incident said they ran after the accused as he fled into nearby bushes.
Other students tried their best to run after the accused but had to withdraw after they were pelted with stones.
Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu says it is encouraging to see the young generation doing the right thing and actively playing a proactive role in addressing criminal activities.
He has thanked each student individually knowing the situation was a dangerous one that could have resulted in serious injury or even death.
Tudravu and senior officers presented certificates and monetary rewards at Nabulini Village as a show of appreciation for their brave efforts.
64-year-old Inoke Luvubula who was injured during the pursuit said he could not duck for cover in time resulting in injuries that left him recovering for more than 2 weeks. 27-year-old Torika Ranadi was the only woman in the group.
The accused was produced in court last month.
