Following the recent kidnapping of two South Korean citizens, senior security personnel gathered in Moyale on Thursday for an urgent security conference under the direction of Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli.
The victims were residing at Odda Mission Secondary School when two armed attackers invaded the building on the evening of August 12, 2024.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects fired shots as they rode off on motorbikes down the Marsabit-Moyale Highway, towards Funanyatta. An instantaneous multi-agency search and rescue operation was initiated.
As a result, six citizens of Ethiopia are among the eight suspects who have now been detained. On August 13, 2024, the suspects appeared before the Moyale Principal Magistrate’s Court. To aid with the ongoing investigations, a 10-day custody order was granted to them.
Three cartridges that were found by security personnel at the crime scene have been sent for ballistic examination to the DCI Forensic Lab.
Accompanied by local MP Prof. Jaldesa Guyo Waqo and top security officials like GSU Commandant Mr. Ranson Lolmodooni, Anti-Terror Police Unit Director Mr. Said Kiprotich, and Border Police Unit Commandant Isaac Alimaa, Acting Inspector General of Police Mr. Gilbert Masengeli visited the abduction scene on Thursday.
In a briefing with county and regional security teams, Mr. Masengeli stressed the value of improved public-private collaboration amongst multi-agency security teams. In order to help solve the case and ensure the hostages’ safe return, he invited the locals to submit any information they may have.
DCI Mr. Mohamed Amin reiterated the appeal for cooperation, emphasizing that coordinated action is necessary to guarantee the hostages are returned safely.
The National Police Service has issued a plea for anyone with pertinent information regarding the kidnapping to get in touch with the DCI at 0800 722 203, or through the NPS hotline at 999/112/911, or by going to the closest police station.