Law enforcement officers in Migori apprehended a suspect for theft, and a firearm was recovered.
In a statement shared by the National Police Service (NPS), the incident occurred on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Migori’s Rapogi area.
According to the police, the suspect identified as Victor Lenoc Ojwang, had been wanted by the Uriri Police Station for stealing.
During a search conducted upon his arrest, law enforcement officers recovered a pistol identified as a Gerstenberge and Eberwein German Model 6.
“NPS Officers from Rapogi Police Post arrested one suspect namely Victor Lenoc Ojwang from Rapogi who was wanted by Uriri Police Station for the offence of stealing and upon search, they recovered a pistol make Gerstenberge and Eberwein German Model 6. The suspect is being held at Uriri Police Station awaiting arraignment in court,” NPS stated.
Police recover firearm
In a separate incident on the same night, a confrontation between NPS officers from Loima and suspected bandits in Kangalita, Kalemnyang, resulted in three fatalities.
According to the police, among the deceased was Simon Egielan Lopongorei, 37, a notorious bandit and gang leader with pending court cases related to robbery with violence, gang rape, and threatening to kill.
NPS said Egielan had been under investigation for various violent crimes, including highway robberies, stock theft, and the possession of illicit firearms for hire within Loima Sub-County.
Also killed in the shootout was Lokucha Ngeruk, alias “sharpshooter,” aged 39, a close associate and aide to Egielan.
Ngeruk had been on the run following the killing of a police officer at Kangalita three years ago and an ambush on the Lorugum Officer Commanding Station (OCS) on December 28, 2023, resulting in bodily harm to an officer.
The third fatality was Tiya Logumo, aged 21, identified as an accomplice to Egielan and Ngeruk.
“A shootout between NPS Officers from Loima and suspected bandits at Kangalita in Kalemnyang left 3 of the suspects fatally wounded as follows; Simon Egielan Lopongorei, 37, a notorious bandit and gang leader who has 3 pending court cases of robbery with violence, gang-rape and threatening to kill; and has been under investigation for a series of unresolved violent crimes, including highway robberies stock-theft and possession of illicit firearms for hire within Loima Sub-County. Lokucha Ngeruk a.k.a sharpshooter, 39, a close associate and aide to Egielan and has been on the run after the killing of a police officer at Kangalita 3yrs ago, and ambush on Lorugum OCS on 28/12/2023 occasioning him actual bodily harm. Third is Tiya Logumo aged, 21 who is an accomplice to the two,” the statement read.
Recovered from the scene of the shootout was an AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing three rounds of ammunition, along with spent cartridges.
“Recovered from the scene was an AK 47 Rifle with a magazine containing 3 rounds of ammunition together with spent cartridges. Bodies removed to Lodwar County Referral Hospital pending post-mortem examination as DCI Loima continues with investigations.”
The bodies of the deceased have been transported to the Lodwar County Referral Hospital pending post-mortem examinations.
Investigations led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Loima are ongoing.
