He held the rank of brigadier general in the Papua New Guinea Defence Forces (PNGDF) and was the PNG Defence Commander, in March 1990 when Police Commissioner Paul Tobian tried to execute a coup against government of Sir Rabbie Namaliu.
[1] According to the Canberra Times Lokinap and Ted Diro, then Minister of State Security, rallied forces to thwart the coup.
In April 1991 critics scrutinized actions of the PNGDF on Bougainville Island, during a civil uprising.
According to Australia's Parliamentary Research Service Lokinap regarded Colonel Lima Dataona, the on-site commander in Bougainville, as a rival, and successful in arranging his replacement by his own candidate, Colonel Leo Niua.
It will be the PNGDF's second Guardian-class patrol vessel, joining sister ship HMPNGS Ted Diro.