22 Oct 2019

Police officer in Fiji fatally stabbed

2:51 pm on 22 October 2019

A police officer in Fiji has died after being attacked by a theft suspect.

70710201 - lautoka, fiji -  dec 30 2016:fijian police officers patrolling in the main street. the fiji police force annual statistics reveal an 18% increase in crime cases in 2015.

A file photo of Fijian police officers patrolling in the main street in Lautoka. Photo: rafaelbenari/123RF

The 24-year-old officer, Suita Niumataiwalu, was based in Lautoka.

Police said he was stabbed while trying to apprehend the suspect at Churchill Park.

A suspect was arrested nearly 40 kilometres away, in the town of Ba.