Kenya in collaboration with Somalian security forces Tuesday, November 1, mounted a rescue operation that successfully freed three people who were taken hostage by suspected Al-Shabaab militants.

The three are among four people who were abducted after Al-Shaabab hijacked an ambulance they were traveling in along Lafey road.

Confirming the incident, Mandera County Commissioner Onesmus Kyatha said that, “arrangements have been made to bring back the three Kenyans from Somalia. They will most likely return home today or tomorrow.”

A file photo of KDF soldiers during a patrol in Kotile town on the Garissa-Lamu-Somalia border, as part of the Linda Boni operation aimed at flushing out Al-Shabaab terrorists.

FILE

The Mandera County ambulance attached to Lyfey Health Centre had four occupants, including medics during the early night attack.

The fourth person, driver of the ambulance is still under the custody of the militants.

The three are Moulid Abdi (a patient), his relative Aden Dai and Lafey hospital paramedic Abdirashid Billow Hussein.

Lafey Member of Parliament Mohamed Abdiker applauded the Kenya police and Somalian security forces for a job well-done.

"I would thank our gallant officers who have worked with their counterparts in Somalia and returned three of the abducted persons to their homes safely", said Abdiker.

Mandera County Commissioner Onesmus Kyatha has also said that he is collaborating with that of his counterpart in Somalia's Gedo region to ensure the safe return of the driver and the ambulance.

"I pray that the driver will also be found safe," said Kyatha on phone.

It is reported that the driver of the ambulance is the one who driving the militants to their suspected hideout in the interior parts of the vast country.

Head of Ambulance Services in Mandera County, Fatima Noor revealed that the vehicle was ambushed at Kurkura village near Elwak along Lafey road.

The attacks by al-Shabaab in Mandera county is a common occurence, putting the lives of many at risk.

At least seven people were killed January 2022, when al-Shabaan attacked a minibus with explosives the opened fire on its occupants near Mandera town.

Mandera Hospital said that 13 people were also injured in the same attack, including a three-year-old infant.

Al-Shabaab militants conduct military drills at a base in Somalia.