Wednesday September 15, 202
By CYRUS OMBATI
Missing senior chief Mohamed Bule. He is missing since August 26 when he was kidnapped from a hotel in Lafey, near Kenya-Somalia border- handout Image: Handout
A senior chief in Mandera county is still missing 19 days after he was kidnapped from his hotel in Lafey near the Somalia border.
Mohamed Bule of Fino location was abducted by suspected armed militants from his lodging.
Al Shabaab militants often roam in the border area where they attack with impunity.
Security officials said Bule's family had not been contacted by his abductors.
“We don’t know the motive so far but efforts to locate him are ongoing,” Northeastern regional police commander Rono Bunei said.
He expressed hope that Bule would return amid fears his abductors may already have killed him.
Police are working with multiple agencies to trace the senior chief.
In December 2020, a sub-chief was kidnapped and beheaded by suspected militants in Konton, Wajir county. His body was found days later by herders between Khorof Harar and Konton.
Police have intensified operations near the 700km Somalia border from Lamu to Mandera.
Special forces have been deployed.
Militants have been staging attacks in the region, leaving many dead and destroying property.
In June this year, the attacks grounded operations in Mandera as most roads were rendered impassable.
The Mandera county government was forced to stop the movement of vehicles over increasing terrorist activities.
Police operations have been mounted to tackle the terror threat.
The insecurity has forced tens of non-local teachers to flee with non-Muslims often targeted in the attacks.
At times, residents aid or do not report militants in their areas.
Militants plant explosives along routes used by security forces and ambush them.
(Edited by V. Graham)