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Another assault allegation surfaces involving Nuuuli aumaga

Nuuuli Village sign
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The mother of the two teenagers who were allegedly assaulted by members of the Nuuuli aumaga next to their Malaeimi home last year still wants justice; and she is in the midst of obtaining legal representation so she can take the matter to court.

Despite attempts by the mother to garner support from the village council and even the police, nothing has been done to address the allegations. But this past week, she told Samoa News that her case may be stronger, now that another reported assault — again, by the Nuuuli aumaga members — was lodged earlier this month.

Samoa News understands that the recent case involves three males who were riding in the back of a truck that was stopped by the aumaga in the Avau area for allegedly "making noises in the village".

A family member told Samoa News that the woman who reported the incident claims that she pleaded with the driver of the truck to step in and stop the assault but he ignored her. The alleged assault only stopped after the driver nodded his head and told the aumaga members to get back on the truck.

As with the first alleged incident in Malaeimi, the victims were treated for injuries at the LBJ Medical Center and the visit was recorded. In addition, the woman's vehicle was also damaged.

As with last year's incident, the names of the alleged culprits were provided to police.

In the first case, Samoa News sought comments from Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Mauga Tasi Asuega, as his office oversees matters pertaining to the villages. Mauga's response: "The aumaga has absolutely no right to assault anyone. The most they can do is make him sit down and come before the village council but once they lay a hand on anyone, it's assault."

He added that the victim's mother "has every right to pursue legal action."