Police Officer Killed, Rifles Stolen After 3,000 Residents Stormed a Mining Site
On Friday, two people were killed, including a police officer, after a large group of over 3,000 people forced their way into the Hillo Walikiti gold mine in Marsabit.
According to a police report, after entering the area, the residents began throwing objects, including stones, at the security officers stationed at the gold mine.
When the officers realized the situation was getting out of control, they intervened and began expelling the rowdy group from the gold mine, forcing the group to retreat.
DEADLY GOLD MINING IN DABEL, MOYALE
— Abdulaziz Boya🇰🇪🇰🇪 (@AbdulazizBoya) July 20, 2024
2 people among them a police Constable have been killed yesterday and others injured at Hillo Walikiti gold mine site at Dabel in Moyale, Marsabit.
The slain officer George Mukoma was killed and his G3 rifle loaded with 20 bullets stolen. pic.twitter.com/2WU6HTCmNb
However, only an hour after successfully removing the residents from the site, the group returned armed with various crude weapons and guns.
They started shooting and throwing stones at police officers, who tried to drive them away but were overwhelmed by the attackers.
“The officers responded with fire but they were overpowered as they were attacked from all directions including their camps,” read part of the police report.
According to the police, two people were shot dead, including an officer, in a tragedy that left several other security officers critically injured.
According to the report, the attackers also stole the deceased officer’s two G3 rifles, each loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition.
“The scene was visited by SCPC Moyale and DCI officers from Moyale. The scene was processed and documented,” read the police report.
“Bodies moved to Moyale sub-county mortuary awaiting postmortem. Progress report to follow.”
The incident occurred just a week after five people were reportedly killed when the mining site caved in while they were retrieving gold deposits.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki closed the Hillo gold mine in March of this year after several people died when it collapsed.
Police Officer Killed, Rifles Stolen After 3,000 Residents Stormed a Mining Site
