MANDERA, Kenya, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Al-Shabab militants kidnapped four Kenyans on Tuesday evening in Mandera county near the border with Somalia, the police confirmed on Wednesday.
George Seda, Northeastern regional police commander, said the four were abducted after the militants hijacked an ambulance ferrying patients to a hospital in El Wak town for treatment.
Seda said the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. local time as an ambulance driver raced with a patient and two paramedics on board.
"The four Kenyans were carjacked by suspected al-Shabab militia and driven toward Somalia," Seda said on the phone, noting that a major security operation, launched later on, did not bear fruits as the attackers had crossed the border to Somalia with the Kenyans.
Local officials said all the victims are locals, and they are highly likely to be released. The attackers were heavily armed with rifles at the time of the incident.
Witnesses and police said the four, including two paramedics based at Lafey Sub-County Hospital, were en route to Elwak hospital for referral services.
Seda said they have contacted the Somali administration to secure the release of the four Kenyans.
Al-Shabab militants have been attacking places in the region, especially in Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa counties in northeastern Kenya, which left dozens of civilians and security officials dead and wounded. ■
