Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Four people were killed and seven others are missing after a vehicle they were traveling in was attacked by armed militia at Qooqae area in Mandera County.
The vehicle was ambushed by the militia on Tuesday.
They were travelling in a double cabin land cruiser from Mandera town to Takaba when they were attacked.
Confirming the incident, Takaba OCPD Joseph Tenai said the vehicle was ambushed by the bandits at Qooqae area some 56 kilometers from Takaba.
“The armed bandits, waylaid the vehicle carrying thirteen passengers at rough section on the road as the driver slowed down and sprayed bullets indiscriminately killing four commuters and injured two others” he said on phone.
He said those killed were two school children, a form three girl and a class four boy and two young men who are yet to be identified.
Tenai said two other passengers who were seriously injured in the attack are being treated at Takaba district hospital and will be transferred to Mandera district hospital for an specialized treatment.
The OCPD said seven other passengers were missing and it is not known whether they were kidnapped by the attackers or they managed to escape.
The attack comes in the wake of inter-clan fighting in the County that has left 30 people dead in a month.
Last Thursday, two people were killed and two girls abducted in the clan fight that targeted one of the communities.
Police say eight camels were also killed in the attack.
The Degodia and Garreh clans have been fighting in the past months over distribution of resources.
Tens
of families from the feuding clans have been displaced from their homes
in Rhamu and Banisa districts, which have been the epicenter of the
latest conflict which spilled from political disagreement over the
sharing of Mandera County positions after the March 4 general election.