Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Special Recce Team (SRT) officers from Ijara in Garissa have successfully dismantled a militia operation believed to be responsible for producing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the region.
National Police Service (NPS) in a statement issued on Monday, October 21, 2024, said the officers who were acting on intelligence reports, launched a well-coordinated operation within the Mathax Adon area on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
According to NPS, the operation targeted an illegal militia racket that posed a significant threat to local and national security.
During the operation, the officers discovered several modified gas cylinders and other critical components used in manufacturing IEDs.
The recovered materials were safely removed and destroyed, preventing potential attacks that could have caused severe damage and loss of life.
The SOG team, conducting the mission under the guidance of the SRT, executed a thorough search of the area, ensuring it was fully cleared of any remaining threats.
“On October 20, 2024, SOG/SRT Officers from Ijara, conducting an intelligence-led mission of the En Cache within Mathax Adon, recovered several modified gas cylinders and items used in making Improvised Explosive Devices. Consequently, the team cleared the area extensively. The SOG continues to play a critical role in protecting the borders of our country against security threats,” the statement by NPS reads.
SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUP (SOG) OFFICERS DISMANTLE MILITIA RACKET IN IJARA
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) October 21, 2024
On October 20, 2024, SOG/SRT Officers from Ijara, conducting an intelligence-led mission of the En Cache within Mathax Adon, recovered several modified gas cylinders and pic.twitter.com/SWJ5KTOurJ
SOG police officers
Special Operations Group (SOG) and Special Recce Team (SRT) are part of the 256 Special Forces of the Administration Police (AP) that graduated in 2022.
The AP Special Forces comprised three groups, the Special Recce Team (SRT), the Special Operations Group (SOG) as well as the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).
The groups were formed as part of the country’s efforts to embrace the multi-agency approach in dealing with crime and safeguarding the security of Kenyans.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta who presided over their passing out parade in July 2022 stated that the approach had enabled security officers drawn from different agencies to collaborate, leading to a significant improvement in the state of security in the country.