by Ronald Toito’ona

A reconciliation ceremony was held today at Central Police Station in Honiara, where a total of SBD$10,000 and two traditional Malaitan shell money were presented as ‘peace offering’, as investigations continue into the brutal killing of a young man from Makira-Ulawa Province.

The shell money—Tafuliae and Baniau—were valued at approximately SBD$3,000 and were part of the cultural gesture aimed at easing tensions while the case remains under police investigation. The ‘peace offering’ were offered to the victim’s relatives by leaders and members of the Milestone Community, where the tragic incident happened.

In-depth Solomons understands that further compensation payments will be made as Police investigation continue.

The victim, 24-year-old Stephanus Wainamo of Napuamarawa, Bwagarei in South Star Harbour, was allegedly murdered in cold blood last Friday night in a suburb on the outskirts of Honiara.

He was preparing to return to the Philippines to continue his education and pursue his dream of becoming a pilot.

According to the Member of Parliament for East Makira Franklyn Derek Wasi , this young man had already been a target before – his laptop and phone, containing all his study materials, were stolen. 

His journey was brutally cut short by the same cowards who had wronged him before.

“We are heartbroken. We are angry. And we call for justice – not only for him, but for every young Solomon Islander whose dreams are threatened by lawlessness and violence.

“There must be accountability. Our communities must be safe – for everyone,” the MP writes on his constituency’s Facebook Group.

The reconciliation ceremony today, was attended by the MP for east Makira, West Makira MP Derrick Manu’ari, West Kwaio MP Claudius Tei’ifi, and the victim’s relatives as well as the relatives of the suspects, from Kwaio, Malaita province.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Wasi reiterated that his constituency has lost a future prominent leader and that his people are demanding fair justice for Late Stephanus. A similar call for fair justice was also echoed by other relatives of the deceased and that the investigation must be fast-tracked so that the suspects are dealt with accordingly by law.

West Makira MP, Derrick Manu’ari also called on community leaders, churches, and the police to work collaboratively in sorting out the issue in a peaceful manner.

West Kwaio MP Claudio Tei’ifi, who attended the reconciliation ceremony representing the people of Kwaio, called on the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) to strengthen its Community Policing program. He also expressed a strong desire to see the illegal production of homebrew in Honiara communities eradicated.

The death of the young man has attracted widespread condemnation from citizens of Solomon Islands, both at home and abroad. Most have taken their disagreements to social media, calling for more hasher penalties for people behind such cruel acts.

According to a statement from the RSIPF this afternoon, Police have arrested five suspects for the alleged murder of the 24-year-old from Makira/Ulawa Province over the weekend

“The murder incident occurred at Jacob’s Ladder in the Milestone area within the vicinity of Mamulele in east Honiara over the weekend.

“Among the five suspects arrested on 17 May 2025, there was a female among them. 

“Another two suspects are still at large,” it stated.

In-depth Solomons was told that another suspect has just been apprehended this evening.

Police reports allege that the deceased was attacked by two suspects using stones, while a third suspect inflicted further harm with a screwdriver, resulting in the victim’s death. 

Assistant Commissioner of Crime and Intelligence, Patricia Leta, confirmed that the Serious Crime Unit within the National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), with support from Naha Police, is actively investigating the murder.

AC Leta extended her condolences to the grieving family and assured both the family and the public that police are committed to ensuring those responsible are held accountable under the law. 

She also urged the two remaining suspects to surrender and appealed to anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and assist the ongoing investigation.