The Bougainville Police Commissioner, Francis Tokura, is asking the people in the autonomus Papua New Guinea region to make sure guns still in their communities are surrendered to police.
He told New Dawn FM there is no need for people to still be holding on to weapons at this time of peace.
Photo:
Mr Tokura said only police were authorised to have guns.
The commissioner was speaking after a South Bougainville Health Response team's car was hijacked by armed criminals in Siwai.
He said the people must support police and ensure health officials are able to travel freely and carry their work.
Attempts to remove guns from Bougainville communities and former militants have been going on for more than 20 years, with varying levels of success.