Security guards at the airport in Goroka in Papua New Guinea have been ordered to shoot to kill anyone trying to steal navigation lights.
The instructions have come from the Minister for Internal Security, Bire Kimisopa, as replacement lights are to be installed next week.
Goroka has been without a jet service for three months because thieves stole the lights which make up the Visual Approach Slope Indicating System to assist pilots when landing.
The powerful lights have allegedly been used by the thieves as spotlights for vehicles.
Mr Kimisopa says the provincial government will purchase a firearm to be used by airport guards on a 24-hour basis, with a shoot to kill order for any moving objects, whether animals or human.
