Policeman Shot Dead As 8 Prisoners Escape In Samburu
Policeman Shot Dead As 8 Prisoners Escape In Samburu
Constable Humphrey Oroba was among a group of police officers who were on Monday, February 10 escorting a group of remandees from Maralal GK Prisons when they came under attack.
The officers from Baragoi Police Station had picked up eight remandees from the prison and were to take them to the station ahead of planned court sessions on February 11 when they were attacked.
A mobile court was to visit the station for the sessions, officials said.
Two other police officers were escorting the suspects at the time of the attack, police said.
Police said on reaching the Charda area along the Maralal-Baragoi-South Horr road; they came under attack.
Gunmen who were waiting opened fire and killed Oroba on the spot, forcing his colleagues to seek refuge in a bush.
The body of Oroba was found at the scene with multiple bullet wounds with his AK47 rifle and 30 bullets missing.
The two officers with the eight reminders were missing, a team that responded to the scene said.
More police officers responded to the scene, staged a search, and found the missing colleagues with their firearms.
The suspects were, however, missing.
Police said five of the suspects were facing charges of defilement, one had a case of illegal possession of a firearm, and another was facing murder and robbery charges.
The eighth suspect was facing assault and grievous harm charges.
Police said on Tuesday no arrest had been made on the attackers and those who escaped.
The assailants are suspected to have known the movements of the team before staging the deadly attack.
The body of the deceased officer was moved to Baragoi Sub County Hospital Morgue pending autopsy.
More personnel have been mobilized to hunt down the gunmen, police headquarters said.
The area is among those under ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift.
The operation has led to a general decline in banditry attacks in the larger north rift and other surrounding areas in the past year.
At least 172 illegal firearms were recovered last year in ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift.
The operation has also seen a significant drop in cattle rustling cases, the Ministry of Interior said.
“The operation has led to a 62% reduction in the number of cattle rustling occurrences, with cases dropping from 63,054 stolen livestock to 23,668—a decline of 39,386 heads of cattle.”
“Notably, 172 illegal firearms were collected during mop-up exercises, and 10,173 livestock have been recovered,” a statement from the Ministry of Interior said.
During the same period, 250 suspects, including 14 political leaders, were arrested and prosecuted.
Launched in February 2023, Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift is a government security initiative that targeted escalating banditry, cattle rustling, and violence in nine counties, including Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Marsabit, Laikipia, Isiolo, and Meru.
Hot spot areas in these counties were designated as “Disturbed” and “Dangerous” in the operation that brought together the National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in a coordinated effort to restore peace and stability in the region.
Policeman Shot Dead As 8 Prisoners Escape In Samburu
