KDF rescue wounded PS from Shabaab kidnappers
Public Works PS Maryam El Maawy has been rescued from Al Shabaab militants and transferred from Mpeketoni Hospital.
Ms El Maawy, who has been shot in the shoulder and leg, was transferred in an ambulance. She was rescued by the Kenya Defence Forces.
On Thursday afternoon, Al-Shabaab gunmen hijacked a Prado with the PS and five other occupants at Milihoi along the Mpeketoni-Lamu road in Lamu County.
Coast Administration Police boss James Akoru confirmed the incident, saying it occurred at 3pm.
MEETING
Earlier, Akoru told the Nation that a team, including GSU officers, had been dispatched to the scene.
“We have received the information just now. We do not know who are the occupants and how many they are. Our officers are following up,” Mr Akoru told the Nation on phone.
The PS was heading to Witu to visit displaced families.
She had attended a meeting on Lamu Port (LAPSSET) at Huduma centre in Lamu town before heading to Witu.
ATTACKS
The incident happened hours after Coast Regional Coordinator Nelson Marwa flew to Lamu for a security meeting.
He was scheduled to address another meeting in Mpeketoni tomorrow (Friday).
His visit comes few days after the government launched airstrikes against the terrorists who are believed to be hiding in the vast Boni Forest.
The government increased the airstrikes after attacks by the Al-Shaabab, which claimed lives of 13 people, including four police officers.
ANOTHER CASE
In a related incident, a turnboy of a lorry heading to Lamu has was abducted at the same place (Milihoi).
But the militants allowed the driver of the lorry to proceed.
Police intercepted the driver at Ndeu road block in Hindi and is being questioned.
