A man in his 30s has been arrested by the Western Division Taskforce in connection with a string of sacrilege cases reported in Nadi, as investigators recovered several religious statues believed stolen during the incidents. Police say a sack full of deities was found near the Qeleloa river, and the suspect remains in custody while inquiries continue.
In a separate development, five juveniles aged 15 to 17 were interviewed under caution in the presence of their parents after allegedly stoning a temple in Sawani earlier this week. The teenagers admitted to throwing stones while walking past the temple at night, and the case file will be sent to the Divisional Crime Officer for guidance from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu stressed that such incidents are not politically motivated, noting that motives are often financial gain, internal disputes among members, or youths acting unruly. This aligns with a broader pattern of temple break-ins and statue thefts observed across Fiji in recent weeks.
Context from the broader security picture shows authorities have mobilised dedicated taskforces, including units from the Southern Division and K9 teams, to pursue leads and conduct house-to-house inquiries. Temple committees and faith leaders have publicly urged residents to report anything suspicious and to support ongoing investigations, highlighting a message of unity across diverse faiths as a cornerstone for protection and harmony.
The episodes in Nadi fit into a wider national narrative of sacrilege at places of worship. Earlier reporting described multiple statue thefts across Korociri, Nakurakura, and Sagayam Road, with many of the stolen items identified as Hanuman idols. In several cases, police have recovered items and strengthened security measures at affected sites, while communities push for increased vigilance and interfaith cooperation to safeguard sacred spaces.
Authorities say the focus remains on rapid, evidence-driven action and clear communication to prevent further incidents. The public is urged to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and support community safety initiatives around temples, mosques, churches, and other worship sites.
What this means for readers and communities:
– Expect continued police-led operations and potential follow-up arrests as investigations progress.
– Community vigilance remains a key line of defense; temple security committees and faith groups are coordinating to improve lighting, patrols, and reporting channels.
– While the motive is being investigated, officials emphasize lawful, peaceful responses and interfaith collaboration to protect places of worship and maintain social harmony.
Summary:
A suspect in his 30s has been arrested in Nadi over a series of sacrilege incidents with statues recovered near the Qeleloa river, while five teens were cautioned for allegedly stoning a Sawani temple. Police reiterate that these acts are not politically motivated and indicate motives often involve financial gain or internal disputes, set against a backdrop of a broader pattern of temple break-ins and statue thefts across Fiji. Authorities are continuing investigations with community cooperation, as Fiji grapples with safeguarding sacred spaces and fostering unity among diverse faith communities.
Positive note:
There’s a growing sense among officials and community leaders that strengthened security measures, ongoing police-community collaboration, and proactive vigilance can help protect places of worship and reassure worshippers across Fiji, reinforcing a shared commitment to peace and mutual respect.
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