Police officers in Turkana County are pursuing a suspect linked to the attempted abduction of a 16-year-old girl. Acting on a public tip-off, officers responded swiftly after reports emerged of an armed man who stormed a homestead demanding to forcibly take away the minor.
The security team, drawn from Lorugum Police Station, confronted the suspect but he managed to escape. During the operation, officers recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with six rounds of ammunition, along with one spent cartridge. The recovered firearm has been secured as evidence, and authorities confirmed that the manhunt for the fugitive is ongoing.
According to police, the suspect is considered armed and dangerous. Security agencies have urged residents to continue sharing information that may lead to his arrest, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in tackling crime. Officials commended the vigilance of community members, noting that their timely alert enabled law enforcement to respond before the situation escalated further.
The manhunt comes at a time when security agencies are intensifying efforts to curb banditry and the spread of illegal firearms in Turkana and neighboring West Pokot. Recently, county security committees from the two regions held a high-level meeting in Kainuk to address persistent insecurity. During the deliberations, authorities highlighted cross-border banditry, the rise in illegal gun ownership, and other emerging threats that continue to undermine peace efforts in the region.
As part of the broader crackdown, residents of Turkana and West Pokot have been issued with a one-week ultimatum to voluntarily surrender illegal weapons. This directive aligns with the ongoing Maliza Uhalifu initiative, which seeks to restore law and order along the troubled border areas.
Security agencies have assured the public that operations will continue until peace and stability are achieved. In the meantime, the search for the suspect responsible for targeting the 16-year-old girl remains a top priority, with police pledging to bring him to justice.
