Police have arrested two suspected militants with three AK-47 assault rifles and at least 98 rounds of ammunition during a sting operation in Modika area within Garissa municipality.
Through a statement, the National Police Service said a multi-agency security team successfully conducted an intelligence-led operation leading to the recovery of illegally owned AK-47 rifles.
The suspects, whose number was not disclosed, were arrested and placed in custody.
“They are assisting police with further investigations,” police said.
Garissa County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich, while addressing the press outside his office on the matter, thanked the area residents for their co-operation with police officers that led to the arrest of the suspects.
Flanked by other senior security officers, Cherutich said that the suspects will be taken to court on Friday once investigations are complete.
“We are asking the citizens of Garissa to continue this co-operation with the government and our police officers and report any suspected persons with illegal weapons so that we can arrest them,” Cherutich said.
“We are also telling the holders of illegal firearms that the government amnesty on surrender of the weapons is still in place. Just come forward and surrender your guns to the police before we come for you,” he added.
The commissioner has regretted that there have been several incidents in the past by suspected militants and terrorists that have left people injured or dead citing Burburis, Tawfiq and Bula Iftin as area that have been most affected as people fight over land.
He said that a multi-agency committee had been established to look into the land conflicts in Garissa County and recommend solutions.
The region has in the last few months experienced attacks by suspected Al Shabaab militants and their sympathisers that have left at least 16 people dead in the counties of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa.
