Police Officer Shot Dead, Gun Stolen While Guarding National Exams in Turkana
A police officer was shot and killed, and his firearm stolen, by suspected bandits in Turkana County while on a critical assignment to guard the ongoing national examinations. The officer was part of a security detail deployed to ensure the safe transportation of exam papers when the vehicle he was in was ambushed. The brazen attack underscores the severe security challenges in the region, even during periods of heightened national importance.
The incident occurred as the police vehicle was traversing a high-risk area. According to preliminary reports, the assailants, believed to be cattle rustlers, opened fire on the vehicle, fatally wounding the officer. In the ensuing chaos, the attackers managed to seize the officer’s official rifle before fleeing the scene. The body of the deceased officer was moved to the Lodwar County Referral Hospital mortuary.
The killing has sent shockwaves through the security apparatus and the local community, raising serious concerns about the safety of government personnel and the audacity of criminal gangs. A multi-agency pursuit for the killers has been launched, with security forces combing the vast terrain to recover the stolen firearm and apprehend the suspects. The National Police Service has condemned the attack, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice and reaffirming its commitment to securing the examination process despite the threats.