Somalia Returns Rifles Seized from Slain Kenyan Police Officer

Somalia returned two rifles to Kenyan authorities that were seized from slain officer Constable Dennis Omari, who was killed during an ambush at a security post. While the handover included a G3 and an AK47 rifle, only 10 out of 90 bullets were recovered. The attack is believed to be connected to past arrests of terror suspects. Investigations continue as the key suspects remain at large.

Authorities in Somalia have returned two rifles taken from a Kenyan police officer, Constable Dennis Omari, who was killed during an attack at a security post near the Kenya-Somalia border in Mandera County. This handover, which took place on Saturday morning, involved a G3 and an AK47 rifle that were recovered from the scene. However, it is notable that only 10 out of the original 90 rounds of ammunition were returned.

On March 14, approximately 20 armed individuals ambushed five officers from the Border Police Unit during the assault at Border Point 4. Constable Omari was killed immediately, while another officer suffered a gunshot injury to the left arm and is currently receiving treatment at Mandera Referral Hospital before being airlifted to Nairobi.

The attackers managed to seize Constable Omari’s G3 rifle and the AK47 rifle during the ambush, which reportedly contained 60 and 30 bullets respectively. Preliminary investigations suggest that this incident might be driven by revenge, potentially linked to the recent arrest of terror suspects associated with a failed abduction attempt involving Chinese nationals in Mandera.

Kenyan authorities suspect that the attack could be coordinated by a relative of one of the arrested suspects, who allegedly holds a position in the security agency. In response, senior police officials have visited the crime scene as part of ongoing investigations. Kenyan officials have requested the recovery of the firearms and the apprehension of those responsible for the attack. Following this, Somali authorities informed their Kenyan counterparts about the recovered rifles and their readiness to return them. Nevertheless, the suspects believed to be behind the attack remain at large, prompting Somalia’s military to initiate a manhunt for the individuals involved.

In conclusion, the tragic incident involving Constable Dennis Omari highlights the ongoing security challenges faced along the Kenya-Somalia border. While the return of the rifles to Kenyan authorities marks a step towards accountability, the involvement of rogue elements within security agencies raises concerns. As investigations continue, the call for justice underscores the larger issues of border security and terrorist activities in the region.

Original Source: www.the-star.co.ke