Two armed robbery suspects arrested in Garissa following violent attacks

Police have arrested two men suspected of carrying out violent robberies along the Alikune–Dagahaley Road.

The arrests followed reports of a robbery with violence and a separate shooting incident that had alarmed local residents and road users.

Officers from Dagahaley Police Station, working alongside the Dadaab Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) team, launched an immediate pursuit.

The operation, led by the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Dagahaley, quickly resulted in the capture of a 26-year-old suspect within Dagahaley Market.

Upon arrest, police said the suspect confessed to his involvement in the attacks and revealed that the firearm used had been hired specifically for the crimes.

He then led police to a concealed site where an AK-47 rifle was recovered. The weapon was found wrapped in a jacket, inside a gunny bag, and buried underground. A magazine loaded with three rounds of ammunition was also seized.

The suspect further guided officers to a residence in Bula Kheir Village, within the Ifo Refugee Camp, where his accomplice was arrested. Both men are now in police custody as investigations continue. The hunt for a third suspect remains ongoing.

“The National Police Service is maintaining heightened vigilance and reaffirms its commitment to decisively combat violent crime and ensure the safety of all residents in Garissa County,” the service said in a statement.

The swift arrests follow a pattern of relentless police operations targeting violent gangs across the country.

A recent operation in Kisumu East Sub-County, for instance, saw officers apprehend a man believed to be part of a notorious gang terrorising residents of Kisumu City and its environs.

Acting on credible intelligence, detectives conducted a pre-dawn raid at the suspect’s residence in Kajulu Gardens, recovering motorcycles, mobile phones, a television, gas cylinders, and other items believed stolen during multiple robberies.

Police noted that the Kisumu operation gained momentum after one gang member was killed by mob justice on January 23, 2026, providing critical leads that helped identify and locate the remaining suspects.

Law enforcement agencies emphasised that intelligence-led operations remain key in curbing organised crime. In Garissa, officers continue to search for the remaining suspect and urge residents to report suspicious activities.

The National Police Service said its continued patrols and rapid response measures are aimed at reassuring residents that violent crime will not be tolerated.

“We will continue to work tirelessly to protect lives and property and bring perpetrators to justice,” it stated.