Five men are undergoing medical checks in the Torres Strait after being apprehended by Australian authorities as suspected unlawful arrivals.
The ABC has reported that authorities in PNG believe the men to be Senegelese, who travelled to Papua New Guinea via Indonesia.
Saibai Island is one of Australia’s most remote, just 4 kilometres from the Papua New Guinean border.
NITV understands government agencies asked Saibai residents to escort customs staff in their personal dinghies to help search for and locate the five men.
A spokesperson for the Australian Border Force said it would not comment on questions about the use of local people in operational matters.
“ABF has well established operational processes to manage irregular movements of people in the Torres Strait,” they said.
NITV has contacted the Torres Strait Island Regional Council for comment.
