Suspected Al-Shabaab hijack a vehicle in Mandera

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Al-Shabaab fighters on Thursday evening hijacked a vehicle belonging to Kenya Power in Elwak town near Kenya’s border with Somalia.

Confirming the 5pm incident, Mandera South Deputy County Commissioner Peter Karanja said Security agencies are pursuing the terrorists who drove the vehicle towards Somalia after they stole it on Thursday at around 6.20pm as its driver was coming from a solar electricity plant.

“Two armed men emerged from the thickets and waved down the vehicle before pulling out the driver who was the only occupant as they took control,” he said on phone.

Mr Karanja said the two carjackers drove through Elwak town without anyone noticing the unfamiliar faces behind the wheel but in less than ten minutes alarm was raised.

“They had to come through town to head to Somalia which looked normal until alarm was raised and our security team of KDF, both regular and Administration Police are pursuing them,” Mr Karanja added.

Mr Karanja said Kenyan authorities have alerted Somalia National Army (SNA) inside Somalia to help in the operation.

He said the incident had caused panic in Elwak town as businesses closed.

He said the attackers were sighted some 40 kilometres into Somalia far away from Elwak.

The incident comes barely a day after the State extended dusk to dawn curfew only reviewing timings.

The three month-curfew extension now will be starting at 7pm and end at 5am to allow time for prayers in Mosques.