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Suspected Al Shabaab Militants Kidnap 5 Chiefs In Kenya

Suspected Al Shabaab militants have reportedly kidnapped at least five chiefs in Mandera County, Northern Kenya, according to police reports.

Mandera South Sub-County Police Commander Julius Njeru confirmed on Monday that the national government administration officers were en route to Elwak town for identification card screening when they were ambushed.

“At about 8.30 am, suspected Al Shabaab militants hijacked a vehicle that was transporting administrators towards Elwak town in the Eres-suki area. Five chiefs are reported missing, including the vehicle,” Mr. Njeru stated by phone.

He further added that security agencies, including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), have been deployed to track down the vehicle and the missing chiefs. “We are yet to get any of the five chiefs. Our security teams have sealed off the border,” Njeru explained.

President William Ruto’s Scheduled Visit To Mandera

The abduction occurred just hours before President William Ruto’s scheduled visit to Mandera as part of his five-day tour of the northeastern region. President Ruto is expected to visit Mandera on Tuesday before proceeding to Wajir and concluding his tour in Garissa on Friday.

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It remains unclear whether the missing government officers were in uniform or civilian clothing at the time of their abduction.

Al Shabaab militants have a history of targeting government officers in Mandera, accusing them of acting as informers. According to a Mandera resident, Mr. Omar Abdullahi, “Chiefs and their assistants are always at risk. Al-Shabaab group hunts them for abduction or killing.” He explained that Al Shabaab believes that chiefs and their assistants provide the government with intelligence regarding their local operations.

“Most chiefs don’t reside in their areas of jurisdiction fearing the Al-Shabaab group. They are on the list of the most wanted by the militants for being government officers,” Mr. Abdullahi said.

This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. In 2017, location chief Omar Jillo was killed by suspected Al Shabaab militants at his home. Locals reported that he was instrumental in gathering intelligence on Al Shabaab operations in his area. The latest abduction further underscores the dangers faced by local leaders in the region.

Source: The EastAfrican

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