Gunmen kill 6 travellers enroute to Qura'n Competition in Mandera
The vehicle had been privately hired to transport family members travelling from Mandera town to attend a Qur’an recitation competition
In a brutal attack, six people were killed and several others injured after gunmen ambushed a 14-seater matatu in Arabia Sub-county, Mandera County.
The vehicle, which was travelling to Arabia town, came under attack on Saturday afternoon at Beer-Awayon village in an incident that has shocked residents and heightened security concerns in the area.
Several passengers sustained injuries during the ambush and were initially rushed to Arabia Sub-county Hospital before some were transferred to Mandera Referral Hospital for specialised treatment.
The vehicle had been privately hired to transport family members travelling from Mandera town to attend a Qur’an recitation competition when it came under attack.
The attack which left three people critically injured is suspected to have been carried out by al-Shabaab militants.
Emergency response teams and a multi-agency security team were swiftly deployed to the scene to evacuate the injured, pursue the attackers. Authorities have yet to release the identities of the victims as investigations continue.
Speaking the press, the Mandera Police Commander Robinson Ndiwa appealed to residents to remain calm saying that with the cooperation of the residents, those responsible will be found.
“For a longtime, there has been prevailing security in Mandera and this incident was not expected. Investigations are going onto establish the circumstances surrounding the deadly ambush,” he said.
Lafey Member of Parliament Mohamed Abdikheir condemned the killings and called on the government to act swiftly in tracking down those responsible and enhancing security along the volatile route.
“It is with profound sadness that I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the six innocent travellers who were brutally killed by unknown gunmen. My prayers are with the injured, who are fighting for recovery amid this senseless violence. I strongly condemn this barbaric act of cowardice, which has robbed innocent people of their lives,” he said.
May Allah heal the wounded, grant the departed the highest ranks in Jannatul Firdaus, and ease the situation for the affected families and community-Ameen.