Police recover stolen ammo

Marsabit,

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

KNA by Sebastian Miriti

Police have recovered missing assault rifles taken from two police officers during a banditry attack at Malgis along the Marsabit- Isiolo Highway.

Marsabit County police commander Patrick Mwakio told KNA the guns with several rounds of ammunition were recovered after a fierce gun battle with the suspected highway bandits who waylaid a truck ferrying livestock to Nairobi.

 He had a G3 rifle with five bullets rounds of ammunition recovered during the fierce fire exchange with security agencies who caught up with the fleeing bandits at a hill Mpangas in Laisamis constituency. 

During the attack, the officers lost their guns while escorting a lorry transporting cattle to Nairobi.

Mwakio said the police also recovered seven more heads of cattle bringing to 19 the total number of animals recovered so from the 25 stolen by the armed bandits.

A contingent of security personnel who have been pursuing suspected highway bandits stole the two assault rifles after killing one officer and critically wounding another during the attack that occurred on November 9. The driver of the lorry was also injured.

The county police commander said no casualties or injuries were reported during the gun battle, adding that no arrests were made with the manhunt for the suspected criminals intensified. 

"Our officers caught up with the unknown number of bandits at the hill and a shootout ensued before the criminals were overpowered and escaped abandoning the government guns,” he said.

Mr Mwakio commended the security officers for good work and commitment to duty adding that there would be no rest until the remaining six heads of cattle are recovered and the culprits brought to book.

He added that security personnel have surrounded the Mpangas hill which is believed to be the hideout of the rustlers on the run.

He appealed to the residents of the area and especially elders to assist the police in the recovery and arrest of the suspects whom he said must be punished for the crimes committed.

The commander also reiterated that security organs in the county have instituted measures to curtail the livestock menace in the region.

Courtesy; KNA