Papua New Guinea: Port Moresby evictions pose low, localised security risk

Around 27 January, the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) and police conducted evictions across Port Moresby to remove informal settlers from areas including 2 Mile Hill and the 4 Mile Works Compound. About 150 families from Goroka and Chimbu from 2-Mile were relocated to titled land at Saraga near 6 Mile under a government resettlement plan but hundreds of others were forcibly evicted to Port Moresby’s outskirts. Police cited violent crime, illegal occupation, and health notices, and said further evictions would target Six Mile before the end of March, followed later by Garden Hills, Badili, 6 Mile and 8 Mile. The 4 Mile  evictions have been temporarily halted by court action.

Assessment: The evictions are localised operations within Port Moresby with limited security impact. Further removals will almost certainly continue throughout the year with occasional delays due to legal challenges or appeals to local officials. While isolated incidents of local violence may occur during enforcement, there has been no significant retaliatory activity beyond the immediate area or timeframe of the operation to date. The overall threat remains low and contained, relative to normal conditions in Port Moresby.

Sources: “Hope for a few in relocation,” The National Online, 28 January 2026; “Police confirm planned city evictions,” NBC, 30 January 2026; “Police urge residents to vacate compound before evictions,” The National Online, 30 January 2026.