Notorious Gang Leader Shot Dead By DCI Officers During MAJOR Operation
Hours after the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, announced a major security operation in four bandit-prone counties, police have shot dead a notorious gang leader in Meru.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), police officers in Igembe North shot dead a suspected gang leader during a fierce gun battle in the early hours of Saturday. March 21.
The incident followed a heightened security operation targeting bandits and other criminals in the counties of Meru, Isiolo, Samburu and Laikipia.
The incident occurred at around 2 am in the Linjoka sub-location, where a joint patrol of DCI officers, jointly with the area police, encountered a group of about five men suspected of being involved in criminal activities.
The officers challenged the group, prompting the suspects to open fire, which consequently made the officers return fire in self-defence, leading to an intense exchange of gunshots.
During the confrontation, one suspect died after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head, while four others managed to escape from the scene.
“In the intense exchange that followed, one suspect was fatally neutralised; shot in the head while the remaining four fled into the darkness, still armed and dangerous,” the DCI said.
Police later identified the deceased, whom they described as a notorious gang leader linked to a string of criminal incidents that had instilled fear among residents in Igembe North and surrounding areas.
At the scene, officers recovered a Beretta pistol loaded with three live rounds of ammunition, along with one spent cartridge, which investigators believe was used during the shootout.
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The body of the deceased was moved to the mortuary at Nyambene Subcounty Hospital, where it awaits a post-mortem examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
“Investigations are in full swing, and a massive manhunt is underway to hunt down the fleeing accomplices before they strike again,” the detectives affirmed.
IG Kanja on Saturday morning dispatched a team of officers to curb the surging crime rate in parts of Meru, including Buuri East, Tigania East and West, and Igembe North, Central and Mutuati.
“Cattle have been stolen, several lives have been lost, and injuries have been reported. This is totally unacceptable and must be eradicated,” Kanja said.
He said an elaborate multi-agency security operation had been assembled with the mandate of recovering stolen cattle and mopping up all illegal firearms and ammunition.
Notorious Gang Leader Shot Dead By DCI Officers During MAJOR Operation
