Police officers on Sunday, December 11 arrested six trainees who fled an Al-Shabaab training camp and attempted to sneak into Kenya.
North Eastern Regional Commissioner Nicodemus Ndalana confirmed the incident stating that the six were among a group of 50 who had fled the camp over tough training conditions.
The commissioner disclosed that the suspects were disappointed after the recruiters failed to honour their promise of lumpsum payments – which the trainees claimed was used to lure them into the camp.
Two men in a Nairobi court in January 2019.
Courtesy BBC
Among those arrested included a Tanzanian national and five Ethiopians. A manhunt was soon after launched to track down the other three who escaped the police dragnet.
Detectives are also questioning the six suspected recruits on how they managed to cross over to the border to establish those who were working with them.
Security has been beefed up in Wajir, Mandera and other towns along the border. The suspects told the cops that they had been recruited, trained and deployed to various areas in Somalia.
A joint operation between security agents of the two countries has been launched across the borders to fish out the criminals from their hideouts.
Meanwhile, a father and his son lost their lives after their vehicle was sprayed with bullets along the Rhamo-Elwak road in a suspected al-Shabaab attack.
Mandera County Commissioner Onesmus Kyatha told the media that the two died on the spot while three national reservists who were tasked with providing them with security survived.
The three officers attached to Jabibar Police post were rushed to the Rhamo Sub-county Hospital where they nursed injuries.
On November 14, Interior Security Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki assured that security agents across the country were vigilant to quell any impending attacks before they happen.
“We continue to be on a high alert to ensure that we deter, thwart, preempt and neutralise terrorist attacks in the country to ensure that the stability we have enjoyed continues,” Kindiki noted.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure (left) received by administrative officers in Wajir West on November 24, 2022.
Ministry of Interior
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