Aussie Professor rescued from armed gunmen in PNG

The Australian archaeologist, held captive by armed gunmen for more than a week in the Papua New Guinea wilderness, has been released.

The Australian archaeologist, held captive by armed gunmen for more than a week in the Papua New Guinea wilderness, has been released.

Professor Bryce Barker, along with colleagues Cathy Alex, Jemina Haro, and PhD student Teppsy Beni, were taken hostage in highlands near Mount Bosavi while conducting field work.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape confirmed the release on Facebook and apologised to the families.

Bryce Barker in a photo shared by PNG Prime Minister James Marape.

“Thank you Police Commissioner and all police personnel, thankyou PNGDF and all soldiers, thankyou Governor Undialu and all Hela leaders in Komo, thankyou SHP and Western Province leaders, people, missionaries and communities,” he wrote.

“And we apologise to the families of those taken as hostages for ransom, it took us a while but the last three has been successfully returned through covert operations with no K3.5m paid.

“To criminals, there is no profit in crime . We thank God that life was protected.”

The ABC reported on Sunday Professor Barker had been released, two days after a program coordinator with the expedition had been released.

Professor Bryce Barker at the dig in a remote site in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.

Local police and Australian authorities had been working with the gang to secure the release of hostgages.

It had earlier been reported they were using missionaries, who lived in the highlands region, as intermediaries to communicate.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has been contacted for comment.

DFAT had been contacted in the early stages of the hostage situation, however, they declined to comment on the grounds reporting the names and details of those being held captive can hinder recovery efforts.

More to come.