Al Shabaab Militants Ambush, Kidnap 5 Kenyan Chiefs Days After Trump’s Hit In Somalia
At least five chiefs went missing on Monday after being attacked and seized by suspected militants in Elwak, Mandera county.
According to police and witnesses, the group was traveling in a car to Elwak when they were ambushed and hijacked by Bamba Owla and Ires Suki.
They were to meet in the area to discuss how to cover President William Ruto’s planned visit to the region this week.
Terrorism Incident in Iresuki area of Mandera NEP Kenya.
— CTNSIS (@CTNSIS) February 3, 2025
5 Chiefs hijacked & subsequently kidnapped by Al-Shabāab terrorists.
SOG quick response unit encountered an IED attack delaying rescue mission ops.
Mandera South police chief Julius Njeru verified the event, stating that the administrators were on their way from Wargadud to Elwak town for duties.
Ruto is scheduled to travel to the northern region this week, which has triggered security measures.
He will also convene a cabinet meeting in Garissa, officials said.
During this time, the president will also make visits to Isiolo, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa counties.
Following the event, a huge operation was launched, with the assailants who were waiting reportedly fleeing to Somalia. The location is close to the Kenya-Somalia border.
Last December, a chauffeur with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was shot and killed by suspected Al Shabaab terrorists in Lafey, Mandera County.
An unknown number of shooters later stole his four-wheel-drive vehicle and fled with it.
Police say this occurred after they removed the deceased’s body from the automobile. The deceased was assigned to the local police force.
The location is close to the Kenya-Somalia common border, which is typically breached by the terror group.
Police stated the group crossed the border into Somalia. The deceased’s body was taken to a local mortuary.
This is the latest occurrence in the area, with several teams conducting operations.
President William Ruto is set to visit nearby Wajir County for a pastoralist gathering. This triggered additional operations to disrupt any terrorist plots to harm residents.
These activities have foiled scores of planned strikes in the area and further inland.
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The area is under multi-agency security operations and is located close to the Kenya-Somalia border.
The multi-agency operation aims to clear out extremists from the. There has been a dramatic drop in similar events. The area has seen an uptick in terror-related attacks.
Similar attacks have occurred along the borders of Mandera, Wajir, Lamu, and Garissa, affecting overall development.
The location is near the Kenya-Somalia border, where terrorists cross at will to launch assaults before retiring to their zones of control.
Al Shabaab Militants Ambush, Kidnap 5 Kenyan Chiefs Days After Trump’s Hit In Somalia
