Confirming the incident, a police officer divulged that the vehicle gave a lift to 14 students at Mararani on their way to Kiunga primary school.

The officers disclosed that two students were in critical condition, five were injured and three were reported missing.

“The vehicle ran over a landmine and was extensively damaged. There were also some shootings from the militia shortly after the vehicle was blown up.

“Four police officers and four students were killed on the spot with others injured,” the officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Nation.

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The incident comes barely three weeks after police officers in the area hit a landmine and were killed in the process.