Nairobi News

Police in Mandera are holding in custody a senior Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) official who was allegedly involved in a gun drama after being denied direction to a shop where he could purchase alcohol.

Mr Mohamed Sheikh Abdullah, 22, crossed from Somali and into Kenya on Monday. He then tried to ask residents to direct him to an alcohol shop within Mandera town. After failing to get the directions, he walked into Mandera Police Station seeking the same help.

The NISA officer was denied access into the police station and he allegedly crossed back to Somalia before he came back dressed in full uniform and was armed with an AK47 rifle.

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From outside the police station, he fired several bullets into the air. He was arrested by officers at the station and put into custody.

The police officers then called and informed NISA top bosses of what had transpired.

The officer is now being investigated by both countries working independently.

The incident came at a time when Kenya and Somalia have agreed to re-open three border points despite insecurity fears.

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The re-opening of the three border points – which had been closed for more than a decade due to insecurity posed by the Somalia-based terrorist group Al Shabaab – is expected to boost immigration activities between Kenya and Somalia.

For the free movement of goods to resume, the agreement is subject to approval by Ethiopia and the United Kingdom, the two other countries that have been involved in the talks.

“It has been agreed that this project will proceed subject to the three partner states, Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, sitting down together with the UK to agree on the action plan and the detailed activities,” Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said.

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