Police successfully thwarted/foiled an attempt by Al-Shabaab militants to kidnap/abduct faithful at a Mosque in Konton, Wajir, in northeastern prefectures of Kenya.
Initial reports indicate that, a small group of about five Al-Shabaab gunmen stormed a local mosque with an intention of abducting the Imam who was leading the morning prayers. Their target doubles as an Imam and a National Police Reservist.
Reports further indicate that the militants took hostage of about 40 faithful and attempted to sneak them through the thicket, towards the nearby Kenya-Somalia border.
Police were able to devise a distraction by firing gunshots, forcing the militants to abandon their mission and fleeing into Somalia.
Intelligence reports have several warned that Konton area frequently becoming an interest of criminal elements linked to the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab. In the past they have abducted government officials and killed them without making demands. A chief was in 2019 killed in the area after an abduction.
The Wajir’s Konton is among those affected by insecurity related to terrorism. The Somali-based Al-Shabaab militants are behind the series of incidents that have grounded operations.
Security operators called on to remain vigilant as there are reports of gunmen who have been sighted by locals roaming separate places possible conducting surveillance.
