A man has been arrested in Nadi in connection with a string of sacrilege cases, with police reporting the recovery of several religious statues believed to have been stolen. The arrest was carried out by the Western Division Taskforce, and the suspect is being held and questioned as investigations continue.
Separately in Sawani, five juveniles aged 17 and 15 were interviewed under caution in the presence of their parents after allegedly stoning a temple this past week. The youths stated that they were walking past the temple at night and threw stones that landed on the roof. The investigation file will be prepared and forwarded to the Divisional Crime Officer, who will seek further directions on the next steps from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu reiterated that the cases are not politically motivated. He noted that in many cases the motive appears to be financial gain, internal disputes within communities, or youths acting unruly. The commissioner also stressed the importance of fair procedures in custody and the need for public restraint in commenting on ongoing investigations.
This arrest comes amid a broader pattern of sacrilege incidents across Fiji. Earlier reports from Nadi indicated a series of statue thefts in August, including nine religious statues stolen from multiple properties in Korociri, Nakurakura, and Sagayam Road. Investigations have involved dedicated taskforces, K9 units, and house-to-house inquiries, with temple committees and faith leaders urging the public to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity. Communities have expressed cautious optimism that strengthened protections and ongoing collaboration between police and residents can safeguard places of worship and uphold interfaith harmony.
Overall, authorities say these acts are not isolated and are part of a wider challenge facing places of worship nationwide. In response, police and community leaders have emphasized unity across faiths and the need for continued vigilance, dialogue, and protective measures to prevent future incidents.
Commentary for readers: This wave of incidents highlights the importance of coordinated security at religious sites, including better lighting, surveillance, and community watch programs, while also underscoring the ongoing value of interfaith dialogue and mutual respect as foundations for safety and peace.
Summary: A Nadi arrest over alleged sacrilege, with statues recovered and ongoing investigations, follows a wider Fiji-wide trend of temple and religious site vandalism and theft, prompting heightened police collaboration with communities and a call for unity and vigilance.
Note: If you’d like, I can weave in brief perspectives from temple committees or local leaders from the related incidents to add more voices and color to the piece.
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