Residents of Mombasa have been urged to remain calm as police continue investigations into an attack that left a county enforcement officer dead and three others injured in Likoni.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 30, Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno Dubat said the incident, which occurred on Monday, October 26, left a county enforcement officer dead and three others injured.
An AK-47 rifle belonging to an Administration Police officer was also stolen during the attack.
Dubat described the incident as an isolated criminal act and urged residents not to interpret it as a reflection of the general security situation in the region.
“The security agencies are burning the midnight oil and are fully committed to doing everything humanly possible to bring the authors of this heinous crime to book and recover the lost firearm,” he said.
Ali Nuno Dismisses Reports of Imposed Curfew in Mombasa
The regional commander dismissed social media reports claiming that a curfew had been imposed in Likoni.
“There is no curfew in Likoni. Law-abiding citizens will not be affected in any way by the ongoing targeted security operations,” he said.
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He urged residents to avoid sharing unverified reports that could cause fear and confusion, and instead rely on official updates from the National Police Service.
Dubat said security had been increased in Likoni and asked residents to continue with their daily activities as police pursued the suspects.
He also called on the public to cooperate with security agencies by sharing information that could help identify the attackers and recover the stolen firearm.
How the Gang Overpowered Officers and Stole an AK-47
The incident took place at around 3.40 am on Monday at a cess collection checkpoint along Barabara ya Mchanga. County enforcement officers were working alongside two Administration Police officers when the armed gang struck.
The assailants reportedly attacked the team and engaged the officers in a physical confrontation before taking an AK-47 rifle containing 30 rounds of ammunition from one of the police officers.
After seizing the weapon, the attackers opened fire, killing county enforcement officer Omari Mzerera and leaving three other officers injured.
Mombasa County Police Commander Stella Cherono said police had opened investigations to identify those behind the attack and determine what prompted it.
“One of our officers was injured, and a county enforcement officer was also attacked. Unfortunately, we lost one,” Cherono said.
The three injured officers comprised an Administration Police officer and two county enforcement officers, all of whom were taken to hospital for treatment.
According to witnesses, the attackers overwhelmed the officers despite attempts by the police to scare them away by firing shots into the air.
The Administration Police officer whose rifle was taken suffered deep cuts to his hand and a gunshot wound to his left thigh.
One of the county enforcement officers sustained deep cuts to the head and right thigh. Mzerera was shot in the back, with the bullet passing through his chest and causing fatal injuries. Another county officer escaped unharmed.
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Police Launch Hunt for Attackers and Missing Firearm
The injured officers were taken to Diani Beach Hospital, while Mzerera’s body was transferred to the Coast General mortuary after a doctor pronounced him dead.
Cherono said investigators were still working to establish how many people took part in the attack. Initial estimates suggested that the gang had about five members.
“We want to establish the number of criminals who were there and what led to the attack. Our investigations will give us that information,” she said.
Police crime investigators later examined the checkpoint and collected evidence to support the ongoing investigations.
Officers are pursuing the suspects and seeking to recover the stolen AK-47 rifle and its 30 rounds of ammunition. Cherono urged anyone with information about the attack to report it to the police.
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