Five chiefs who went missing after being kidnapped in Mandera have been found in Somalia. Authorities confirmed that they are being held in Al-Shabaab camps in Jilib. The government has sent a group of local elders to negotiate their release, and talks are showing progress.
The chiefs were taken while on duty in Elwak. Reports say they were moved across the border shortly after the abduction. Security teams are working to gather more details and ensure their safe return. Efforts are ongoing, and officials believe a solution will be reached soon.
Meanwhile, police have started looking into how the kidnappers carried out their plan. Several towns, including Wante, Qurqura, and Fino, are being monitored as some suspects might still be hiding in Kenya. Security teams are also on the ground to prevent more attacks.
President William Ruto has assured the public that the government is doing everything possible to bring back the chiefs. He said security measures will be strengthened to prevent such cases in the future. Officials have urged locals to report any suspicious activity to help in the fight against crime.
Abductions have become more frequent in the country, causing fear in some areas. Authorities have promised to deal with these threats firmly.
Back home, intelligence officials have shifted focus to the towns of Wante, Qurqura, Elele, Ires Kinto, Fino, and Kutayu where it is suspected the militants were in hiding before they abducted the local administrators.
The missing chiefs are Mohammed Adawa, Mohammed Hassan Kulmia, Abdi Hassan Suraw, Mohammed Noor Hache and assistant chief Ibrahim Gabow