Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo says they are also working closely with Somali elders to help trace and return the two police officers/FILE
Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo says they are also working closely with Somali elders to help trace and return the two police officers.
The officers were taken away when the Al Qaeda-linked militants raided two police posts in Liboi on Saturday night killing six people including two Administration Police officers.
“After Saturday’s attack, two of our officers are still missing and efforts to trace them are underway. We are doing everything possible to get them,” said the police chief.
“The military is also assisting in the search on the border,” he told journalists at a briefing Monday, where he identified the abducted officers as constables Fredrick Chirchir and Joseph Wambugu.
“We will also seek help from elders from the other side of Somalia,” he said.
Speaking after a meeting with leaders from Garissa, Wajir and Mandera on Monday, Kimaiyo announced that security forces will be carrying out a forceful disarmament exercise in the Northern part of the country to get rid of illegally held firearms.
“What we are insisting is that all residents should give up their arms. We have all agreed with the leaders from these areas if they fail to do so, we are going to forcefully disarm them,” he warned.
“For development to take place in these areas, security must be there. We urge residents to give information that may help curb crime.”
Residents of Mandera and Garissa had been given an ultimatum to surrender arms by last week but only twelve have been given up.
The Inspector General further expressed confidence that the security situation in the country will be contained saying the police had the capacity to deal with it.
Aldas MP Adan Keynan said the leaders condemned the killings saying they had resulted to loss of lives of innocent civilians and security officers.
“The conflict between the Garreh and Degodia communities is not politically motivated,” he noted.
The leaders also resolved on the need to have, “a peace caravan comprising leaders from all the communities residing in Wajir and Mandera Counties and which should visit all areas affected by the inter-communal conflict and come up with a peace agreement where the government will assist its implementation.”
They asked the government to assist in provision of emergency humanitarian support to the families displaced by the skirmishes in Banisa District of Mandera County.
“We also urge the government to urgently liaise with the Ethiopian government in an effort to address the security challenge jointly and further restore peace and tranquility along the common border,” Keynan said.
He asked the residents of the affected areas to “engage in development activities so that they can enjoy the services of the devolved government.”
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has condemned the weekend attacks blamed on the Al Qaeda-linked militants who have already claimed responsibility.
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