Al-Shabaab releases Kenyan chiefs abducted in Mandera

NAIROBI, Kenya - Al-Shabaab militants have released five Kenyan chiefs abducted in February, ending the frantic search that shook the entire security department in the country given the circumstances leading to their abduction.

The five chiefs were abducted while traveling to a presidential function in Mandera, leading to concerns about the safety of Kenyans — including local administrators. President William Ruto was on a development trip within the Horn of Africa nation.

According to reports, the five were dropped by suspected Al-Shabaab militants on Sunday, with local authorities confirming negotiations that were going on behind the scenes. They were kidnapped around Wargadud on their way to Elwak.

The chiefs were from the administrative units of Wargadud East, Qurahmudow, and Chachabole and were aboard a vehicle at the time of the incident. Their vehicle had been hijacked around Bamba Owla and Ires Suki in Mandera South.

The government has been in active efforts through the local elders to rescue the administrative officers whose abduction became a national security concern following the circumstances under which they were captured.

During his tour of duty in Mandera, President William Ruto pledged to intensify the search for the administrators while warning that the government shall firmly deal with Alshabaab elements and their sympathizers.

''We will deal with the terrorists, and that is why I have come with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, to say that no matter what happens, that issue must be promptly addressed,'' Ruto asserted in his address.

According to the head of state, the insurgents chose to abduct the administrators because of the effort that Kenyan multiagency security teams had shown against them in the region.

On Saturday, suspected Al-Shabaab militants ambushed a GSU camp in the Basuba area of Boni Forest, launching two rocket-propelled grenades during the attack.

GAROWE ONLINE