Nine Hanuman statues stolen in Nadi, Fiji as police pursue leads

Nine Hanuman statues stolen in Nadi on August 22 as police pursue leads

Police have confirmed the alleged theft of nine religious statues in Nadi on the same day, with all recovered items reported to be Lord Hanuman idols. On August 22, five statues were stolen from three different properties in Korociri. In another case in Nakurakura, a 33-year-old man’s property in Nadi was hit with the theft of three statues in the morning. In a fifth incident, a religious statue was taken from a prayer room on Sagayam Road in Nadi. Police say a team is pursuing a number of leads, working around the clock to identify the suspects involved.

This spate of break-ins adds to a broader pattern of sacrilege and theft at places of worship reported across Fiji in recent weeks. Earlier incidents have included break-ins at the Dugapatu Mariamman Temple in Rakiraki and the Tulsi Tirath Mandir in Nadera, along with other temple and residential temple incidents in Nasinu and Lautoka, where sound equipment and offerings have been targeted. Authorities have stressed that the cases require communal vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement to safeguard sacred spaces.

In response to these incidents, Fiji Police have deployed dedicated taskforces, including specialized units from the Southern Division and K9 teams, and have conducted house-to-house inquiries to gather information. Temple committees and faith leaders have urged the public to report anything suspicious and to support ongoing investigations. The police and communities emphasize unity across diverse faiths as a foundation for protection and harmony.

While the reports are troubling, officials say there is hope that strengthened protective measures and continued collaboration between police and communities can help safeguard places of worship and prevent further acts of sacrilege.

Summary: A weekend of thefts in Nadi involved nine Hanuman statues being stolen from multiple properties, aligning with a broader national pattern of temple break-ins. Police investigations are active, with appeals for vigilance and community cooperation.

Positive note: The ongoing collaboration between law enforcement and communities across Fiji offers a path toward stronger security for places of worship and a renewed commitment to respect and unity among all faiths. Additional comments for editors: Consider following up with updates on arrests, recovered items, and any new security measures implemented at affected sites to provide readers with a clear trajectory of the investigation and community responses.