Police have launched investigations after a large group of people reportedly stormed Lagbogol Police Station in Hadado Sub-county, Wajir County, and freed a suspect who had been arrested over alleged livestock theft.
According to police reports, about 150 people armed with clubs and other crude weapons forced their way into the station in an apparent attempt to rescue 58-year-old Saln Barre Abdille. The suspect had been taken into custody earlier in the day and was being held as detectives prepared to continue investigations into the alleged stock theft.
Officers stationed at the facility reportedly attempted to prevent the group from entering by firing warning shots into the air. Police said one officer discharged three rounds from his service pistol in an effort to disperse the crowd, but the large number of people overwhelmed the officers on duty.
During the incident, the attackers allegedly broke the padlocks securing the report office before forcing open the steel door leading to the police cells. They then freed Abdille from custody and fled with him to an unknown destination before additional security officers could respond.
Despite the confrontation and damage caused during the incident, police confirmed that no injuries were reported among officers, members of the public or the attackers.
Authorities have since launched a manhunt to trace and re-arrest the escaped suspect while also pursuing those believed to have participated in the raid. Detectives are working to establish the identities of the individuals involved and determine how the operation was organized.
The incident has once again highlighted the challenges security agencies face in handling criminal investigations in some parts of the country, particularly where large crowds interfere with law enforcement operations. Police have appealed to members of the public to cooperate with investigators by providing any information that could assist in locating the suspect and identifying those responsible for the attack on the station.