34-year-old Josua Naivalu, who escaped from the Suva Magistrates Court on Tuesday, was apprehended by the villagers of Wailotua in Wainibuka this morning.

Police Chief Operations Officer ACP Rusiate Tudravu confirmed the villagers locked Naivalu inside their community hall and contacted Police.

Tudravu said Naivalu has been escorted back to Suva and remains in custody while investigations continue as well as the ongoing internal investigation as to how he escaped from Police custody.

A resident of Wailotua village, Tomasi Sovanatabua, said they found out last night that Naivalu was in the village and they called the Korovou Police Station to report the matter.

A senior police officer and a police constable will appear before a police tribunal this afternoon in relation to this case.  

Naivalu, who was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment for burglary and theft, escaped while being escorted on Tuesday morning from Magistrate Court 2.

ACP Tudravu said the Police Commissioner is really disappointed with the case and is expected to meet with his officers based at the Suva court house to review their operations.


Story by: Rusiate Baleilevuka & Dhanjay Deo & Watisoni Butabua