Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli and DCI Director Mohamed Amin on Thursday, August 15 held a critical security meeting in Moyale, Marsabit County, following the abductions of two South Korean nationals.

The incident happened on the night of August 12, 2024 at around 9.00 pm when two armed assailants stormed into Odda Mission Secondary School, where the duo was residing.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects sped off towards Funanyatta along Marsabit-Moyale Highway using motorbikes while firing.

Eight suspects arrested

A search and rescue multi-agency team began immediate search and rescue mission, and eight suspects have been arrested, among them 6 Ethiopians.

The suspects were presented before Moyale Principal Magistrate’s Court on August 13, 2024 vide Miscellaneous Application, and a 10 days custodial order was granted to complete investigation.

The three cartridges that were recovered from the scene by the security officers have been forwarded to the DCI Forensic Lab for ballistic examination.

Area MP Jaldesa Guyo Waqo accompanied the Ag. IG to the scene of abduction, alongside Commandant GSU, Ranson Lolmodooni, SAIG, Director Anti Terror Police Unit Mr Said Kiprotich, CP and Border Police Unit commandant Isaac Alimaa.

While addressing the Regional and County Security teams, Masengeli called for the multi-agency security teams to enhance their collaboration with the members of public in addressing insecurity gaps in the area, and appealed to the public to volunteer any information regarding the abduction to the police.

Similarly, the DCI urged the officers to bring their synergies together in the search operation, to secure the hostages and bring them back home safely.