Officers from the directorate of criminal investigations (DCI) analysing illegal firearms recovered at Manyatta Daaba within Marsabit town in a dawn operation following a tip-off/KNA.Police in Marsabit Central sub-county early today managed to recover illegal firearms from a suspected criminal gang of three, which has been on the police radar.
Area police commander Edward Ndirangu said the 5 am raid at Manyatta Daaba in the outskirts of Marsabit town yielded 3 AK 47 assault rifles, 120 bullets, and 5 loaded magazines.
A porch fitted with two magazines was also recovered during the operation.
Mr Ndirangu added that 3 prime suspects linked to robbery incidents that have been witnessed in Marsabit town in the recent past were arrested in the dawn operation following a tip-off.
“We received information that suspected assailants who were in possession of illegal firearms could be holding at the manyatta, and we acted swiftly,” said the OCPD, adding that a team of police officers from various agencies, including the DCI and regular police, carried out a successful operation.
The suspects have been on the police radar for some time following incidents of armed robberies and break-ins into shops in Marsabit town and its environs.
Mr Ndirangu said the arrest of the suspects was a major breakthrough in the fight against crime in the area.
“The suspects are in our custody and are helping with investigations,” he said, adding that they would be arraigned in court in due course.
The three heads of cattle tracked and recovered by security agencies.They were stolen at Manyatta Mulata Buke area in Marsabit Central subcounty/KNAThe serial numbers of the recovered rifles were defaced, which the commander said would be resolved once the firearms are taken for ballistic examination.
Meanwhile, a speedy response to a livestock theft report at the Mulata Buke area in the same sub-county led to the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of the stolen animals.
Mr Ndirangu said the incident was reported at dawn, and the police managed to track down the animals up to the Jirme area near the Marsabit slaughterhouse.
He said that the three heads of cattle and a donkey were recovered and one suspect arrested.
It is believed that the suspect drove the livestock near the slaughterhouse with the intention of selling them for slaughter to unsuspecting butchery operators.
The OCPD thanked members of the public for being supportive in the fight against crime and urged for continued cooperation.
Residents of Marsabit town received the news on the arrest and recovery of illegal firearms with a lot of joy and lauded the police for being responsive to reports and information given to them on crime and suspects.
