Al-Shabaab takes teacher hostage in Garissa

A picture showing a KDF soldier outside Garissa University College after Al-Shabaab attacked the institution on April 3, 2015 killing 147 people. A teacher was on October 12, 2015 kidnapped at Hagadera refugee camp in Dadaab, Garissa County, by people suspected to be members of the Somali-based militant group Al-Shabaab. FILE PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Kimilu said he has dispatched a contingent of police officers to the border where they believe the militants could be holding the victim, identified as Judy Mutua.
  • Initial reports indicate that a vehicle belonging to the NGO was on its way towards the refugee camp when it was shot at by armed men at the junction between Hagadera and Dadaab.
  • The attackers reportedly took over the vehicle and abandoned it minutes later together with the driver, a local Somali. However, they forced Ms Mutua into their vehicle and sped off.

A teacher was on Monday kidnapped at Hagadera refugee camp in Dadaab, Garissa County, by people suspected to be members of the Somali-based militant group Al-Shabaab.

Area OCPD Raphael Kimilu said they are yet to trace the teacher who is an employee of an NGO, Windle Trust International.

Mr Kimilu said he has dispatched a contingent of police officers to the border where they believe the militants could be holding the victim, identified as Judy Mutua.

Initial reports indicate that a vehicle belonging to the NGO was on its way towards the refugee camp when it was shot at by armed men at the junction between Hagadera and Dadaab.

The attackers reportedly took over the vehicle and abandoned it minutes later together with the driver, a local Somali. However, they forced Ms Mutua into their vehicle and sped off.

Activities at the camp have been halted following the Monday morning incident save for essential services such as distribution of food and provision of health care services.

The militia group has made northern Kenya its playground with the many attacks and kidnappings it has been orchestrating.

On April 2, the militants raided Garissa University College and shot dead 147 people, most of them students.

Refugee camps in the area have been blamed for harbouring the terrorists and the Kenya government has been pushing for their closure.