SOMALIA: Puntland Police on Hunt for Aid Worker Kidnappers
Three aid workers from Kenya employed by Sweden-based
humanitarian agency International Aid Service (IAS) which specializes in
water projects were ambushed near Galkayo and kidnapped by a group of
outlaws on Wednesday, 11 July 2012.
Four persons were wounded during the ambush and exchange of gunfire.
Mr. Ahmed Isse Hassan, the IAS representative in Puntland, is critically
wounded and is receiving emergency treatment at a medical center in
Galkayo.
Two Puntland policemen with the Special Protection Unit (SPU)
suffered gunshot wounds and are recovering, while a driver suffered
minor injuries.
The group of attackers numbered 14 men driving three vehicles – one
Toyota Surf, one Toyota pickup truck, and one Toyota station wagon. The
attackers were carrying assault rifles and several PKM machineguns.
Aid workers on field assessment visit
The three kidnapped Kenyan nationals were identified as follows: Ms.
Madoni, who is head of IAS delegation; Mr. Kariyota, who is an engineer
working for IAS; and Mr. Abdinur Kambasse, staff for IAS.
The IAS team – driving one vehicle for the aid workers and one
vehicle for security escort – left Garowe at 7:00 Wednesday morning en
route to a field assessment to towns and villages in Mudug Region,
Puntland State of Somalia.
The IAS team has conducted similar field assessments in Mudug Region three times since 2011.
The IAS team has conducted similar field assessments in Mudug Region three times since 2011.
The IAS team visited the towns of Harfo and Ba’adweyn along the main
tarmac road, and the village of Rooh which is located northwest of
Galkayo off the road.The aid workers returned via the same route, from
Rooh through Ba’adweyn. As the aid workers passed at a bushy area along
the main tarmac road approximately 6km north of Ba’adweyn en route to
Garowe, a group of attackers ambushed the aid workers around 15:20 in
the afternoon.
Puntland government mobilization
The attackers fled with their three Kenyan hostages southwards. Puntland security forces in Galkayo and Jariban districts, as well as Bali Busle town, were immediately mobilized to pursue the kidnappers and to shut off strategic roads to prevent the kidnappers from escaping. However, the kidnappers diverted direction towards southern Mudug Region.
The attackers fled with their three Kenyan hostages southwards. Puntland security forces in Galkayo and Jariban districts, as well as Bali Busle town, were immediately mobilized to pursue the kidnappers and to shut off strategic roads to prevent the kidnappers from escaping. However, the kidnappers diverted direction towards southern Mudug Region.
The Governor of Mudug Region, Mr. Mohamed Jama Yusuf (Tigey), led the
pursuit along with senior officers from Puntland Police Force. Governor
Tigey mobilized local communities and it was reported that the local
community in
Towfiq village resisted the kidnappers, and reportedly an exchange of gunfire erupted between the kidnappers and local militia.
Towfiq village resisted the kidnappers, and reportedly an exchange of gunfire erupted between the kidnappers and local militia.
Puntland security forces have been pursuing the kidnappers since
Wednesday evening, covering a distance of over 200km of unpaved roads.
Government intelligence has confirmed that the kidnappers have escaped
towards Hobyo
district, outside of Puntland jurisdiction.
district, outside of Puntland jurisdiction.
Government sources have also confirmed that Al Shabaab-linked
militants have supplied the kidnappers with fuel and escorted them
towards Hobyo coastal town.
Horseed Media
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