Al Shabaab Militants Release 5 Kenyan Chiefs Abducted In February
Five chiefs who were kidnapped in Mandera by al-Shabaab terrorists while traveling from Wargadud to Elwak town have been released.
They were released from captivity in Jilb, Somalia, on Sunday, April 6, according to officials.
Elders involved in the negotiations stated that the chiefs were released on Sunday afternoon and turned over to Garreh elders in Jilb.
Plans are made to return them to Elwak, Kenya.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was scheduled to respond to the release during his Coast area trip.
Five chiefs abducted by suspected Al Shabaab militants in Mandera released, CS Murkomen confirms pic.twitter.com/RsW2PnTXAt
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) April 7, 2025
The abducted chiefs, Mohammed Adawa, Mohammed Hassan, Mohammed Noor, Assistant Chief Ibrahim Gabow, and Senior Chief Abdi Suraw, were captured on February 3 in Elwak, one day before President Ruto began his visit to the Northeastern counties.
Officials said they anticipated to be debriefed and reunited with their families after being released.
The next day, Ruto told the people that “the five abducted Mandera chiefs will be brought back home safely.”
Ruto decried the kidnappings as a desperate attempt to generate fear and vowed that the government would not let criminals destabilize the region.
He highlighted the significance of safeguarding every inch of Kenya and promised that security personnel would hunt and eliminate those responsible.
He also sent Deputy Inspector-General of Police Gilbert Masengeli to oversee activities in the region, including efforts to locate the abducted chiefs.
A month later, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo reiterated the President’s position, citing ongoing behind-the-scenes activities.
“These are chiefs working for the government, and this shows that no one is immune to insecurity,” Omollo said.
A ransom was reportedly demanded, though it remains unclear whether or how much was paid. The government relied on local leaders for negotiations.
Witnesses and police said the chiefs were blindfolded, and militants commandeered their vehicle, driving toward Lafey.
The incident occurred 25 kilometers from the porous Kenya-Somalia border, suggesting the attackers had prior knowledge of the area and the chiefs’ movements.
The attack occurred while the chiefs were on their way to Mandera to attend a presidential ceremony.
A Special Forces rescue effort was foiled by an improvised explosive device deployed along the way.
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The hostages, together with a woman thought to be a chief’s daughter, were sent to Somalia.
The kidnapping is the latest in a string of security issues in the region, which borders Somalia and frequently sees cross-border raids by al-Shabaab.
In December of last year, suspected al-Shabaab militants shot and killed a DCI driver in Lafey, and took his vehicle. The perpetrators later dumped his body and escaped in the automobile.
The administration continues to take steps to combat such threats and stabilize the region.
Al Shabaab Militants Release 5 Kenyan Chiefs Abducted In February
