
Gunmen, believed to be linked to the al-Qaeda-affiliated al Shabaab militant group, abducted five government officials in northeastern Kenya on Monday, according to local media reports.
The abduction occurred in Mandera county as the officials, including five chiefs, were en route to the town of Elwak.
The officials were traveling in a convoy when they were ambushed by the armed assailants, who are suspected to have ties to the al Shabaab group, known for carrying out attacks in the region. Citizen TV reported the incident, citing North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno.
Mandera South police commander Julius Njeru also confirmed the abduction to Nation newspaper, adding that a search operation was underway to locate the missing officials.
Authorities have not yet released further details on the circumstances surrounding the attack, but the abduction highlights the continuing threat posed by al Shabaab militants in Kenya’s northeast region.
This latest incident comes amid ongoing concerns over the group’s activities in the area, which has seen a rise in violence, including kidnappings and attacks targeting local leaders and security personnel.
Kenyan authorities have vowed to increase security efforts to combat the al Shabaab threat and ensure the safe return of the abducted officials.
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