Acting Inspector General (IG) of Police Gilbert Masengeli and his counterpart Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin on August 15, 2024, held an urgent security meeting in Moyale following the abductions of two South Korean Nationals.
Addressing the media, Masengeli revealed that the investigation team are following leads into the kidnapping of two Korean Missionaries.
Masengeli further urged the locals to give crucial information that may lead to the whereabouts of the abducted foreigners.
He further revealed that criminal activities such as human and drug trafficking have been on the rise in the region.
“Tumekuja kwa sababu ndio tuone vile tunavyo pata wale walio kuwa abducted kwa sababu kuna team zimeanza kuwafwata. Investigations zinanendelea. Kitu ya pili kuna visa mingi zinafanyika hapa za human trafficking, drug trafficking na mambo mengine mingi. Yote tumekuja hapa kuhakikisha zinakoma,” Masengeli said.
“Kwa wale Wakorean wawili walikuwa abducted bado hawajapatikana lakini kuna leads tunafwata na tuna imani watapatikana na pia tuna appeal kwa wanainchi kama kuna mwenye ako na habari apate kushare na serikali.”
Abduction of the missionaries
On August 12, 2024, two armed assailants stormed into Odda Mission Secondary School, around 9.00 pm where the duo were residing and sped off towards Funanyatta along Marsabit-Moyale according to the Preliminary investigations by the detectives.
In response, a multi-agency search and rescue team initiated an immediate operation. So far eight suspects have been arrested, among them six Ethiopians.
The suspects were presented before Moyale Principal Magistrate’s Court on August 13, 2024. A 10-day custodial order has been granted to facilitate further investigations.
The incident has raised significant concerns about the safety of foreign nationals and the need for enhanced security measures in the region.
