Kenyan police on Wednesday said an Italian aid worker has been kidnapped by gunmen near its coast.
The abduction according to the police happened on Tuesday at a trading centre in Kilifi County.
In a statement the Kenyan police said “a gang of men armed with AK 47 rifles attacked Chakama Trading centre in Chakama, Makongeni sub location in Kilifi county, about 80 kilometres west of Malindi town.
The police said “the attackers fired indiscriminately at residents injuring” five of them who have been taken to the hospital.
The Italian abducted is a 23 year old woman who “is a volunteer of Africa Milele Onlus, an NGO operating in the area”.
According to the police, “Neither the reasons for the attack nor the identity of the attackers have been established”.
The National Police Service wishes to inform the public that last evening at about 8pm, a gang of men armed with AK 47 rifles attacked Chakama Trading centre in Chakama, Makongeni sub location in Kilifi county, about 80 kilometres west of Malindi town. 1/6
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) November 21, 2018
Meanwhile Reuters reports that an eye witness said those who abducted the Italian workers appeared to be of Somali origin.
The eye witness of the attack told Reuters that “the attackers had clothes of Somali origin … they spoke in Somali.”
Neither the reasons for the attack nor the identity of the attackers have been established.
Meanwhile, we appeal to members of the public in the area to report promptly to the nearest Police Officer or Police Station should they sight the criminals with the abducted lady. 5/6
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) November 21, 2018
Many of such kidnappings in the east African region are usually carried out by the militant group, Al-shaabab.
Source: Africafeeds.com
