In a rather unusual scenario, an armed Al-Shabaab suspect surrendered to security agencies in Mandera South.
The Daily Nation was first to report that Salat Hajir Jimale, 23, surrendered at Elwak Police Station in Mandera South on Thursday, February 20.
This comes one day after the gunmen attacked a Nairobi-bound bus, Moyale Raha, killing three.
County Commissioner Onesmus Kathya confirmed the incident.
“Al-Shabaab member with an AK 47 rifle and three magazines fully loaded is in our custody,” Kathya affirmed.
The police boss further disclosed that the suspect was detained at Elwak Police Station for interrogation.
“It was reported by a chief that a suspected Al-Shabaab member was sighted in his area while making efforts to surrender,” a police source informed the news outlet.
The suspect who was found in possession of military jungle uniforms hails from the Ashabito area of Rhamu in Mandera North.
On Wednesday, February 19, the fighters attacked the Moyale Raha bus company at Lanfin in Mandera North located between Sarman and Tarbes areas of Banisa Sub-county.
After the incident, the government ordered that all buses plying North-Eastern routes should have a police escort before embarking on journeys.
In December 2019, 11 passengers were confirmed dead after suspected Al-Shabaab gunmen attacked a Mandera-bound bus between Wargadud and Kutulo areas.
In a statement sent through spokesperson Charles Owino, the police confirmed the sad incident that is blamed on suspected members of the Al Shabaab terrorist group.
“We have had an incident on a Mandera-bound bus that was attacked by a criminal gang and we believe lives are lost. We have dispatched a team of officers to the scene. We will be issuing a statement shortly,” Owino stated at the time.
