Al-Shabaab suspects hijack vehicle in Kenya's border town

Suspected Al-Shabaab militants on Thursday hijacked a Kenyan government vehicle in the border town of Elwak in Mandera country.

Mandera County Commissioner Fredrick Shisia said the militants later drove the Kenya Power vehicle toward Somalia border with driver who they later dumped on the way unharmed.

"The unknown two men armed with two pistols ambushed the driver before taking control of the vehicle," Shisia said.

He said the police are still pursing the attackers who are believed to have crossed into Somalia with the vehicle. "The police responded immediately after the ambush," Shisia said.

Security in Mandera region which borders Somalia remains volatile with the militia who crossed over from their neighboring country responsible for the numerous attacks that have rocked the area.

Al-Shabaab, whose operations have sown terror across Somalia and Kenya in recent years, have carried out several attacks in Elwak area in the past two years.

Shisia said more border patrol will be intensified along the Kenya-Somalia border to prevent the Al-Qaida-linked insurgents who are fleeing Somalia from entering into the country.

source: Xinhua