Army recovers hijacked Kenyan vehicle in Afmadhow

Monday, June 18, 2012

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The Toyota Hilux double cabin used to ferry the kidnapped Gherille DO Edward Yesse Mule and Immigration clerk Fredrick Irungu into Somalia by al Shabaab has been recovered by KDF troops who captured the insurgents' stronghold of Afmadhow. The blue double cabin vehicle registration number KAQ 171M was recovered from a compound the al Shabaab insurgents were using for their administration in Afmadhow.

Head of the Central sector Colonel Jeff Nyaga said the vehicle was found during a cordon and search operation conducted by Somalia National Army troops and Ras Kamboni brigade backed by KDF troops. The vehicle was handed back to the owner Abdiwale Mohammed, a resident of Wajir.

It is suspected that the al Shabaab fighters left the town in a hurry with the two Kenyan abductees minutes before KDF, SNA and Ras Kamboni troops got there. The abductees are suspected to have been driven to either Kismayu or Marka which are the only remaining strongholds for the fleeing al Shabaab fighters.

In a bid to stop KDF troops from capturing Afmadhow town, about 50 al Shabaab insurgents carried out an ambush seven kilometres from Beles Qoqani during which six of the insurgents were killed and four injured. One of the attackers was captured and is undergoing treatment at Afmadhow health centre.

Meanwhile, 11 Kenyans are among recruits into Ras Kamboni Brigade. Abdinasir Sheikh, a Garissa resident has been fighting with the Ras Kamboni brigade for the last nine months. Abdinasir, who tried to join KDF and the administration police thrice and failed resolved to join Ras Kamboni brigade. He says many Kenyans have been dragged into the conflict including some in the Transitional Federal Government army and many others fighting for al Shabaab have been killed especially in Elwak area.

He was recruited and trained by Ethiopians for four months before being deployed to fight against al Shabaab in Bardere, Jaldas and Dhoble. Abdinasir says he was forced by circumstances to join Ras Kamboni. The father of two says he earns enough to cater for his two children who live with their aunt.

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