Detectives launched investigations after five men were found shot dead in Biyagadud area, Bangale Sub-county, in Tana River County, in what appears to have been a targeted execution.
According to police the incident was reported on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 6:46 p.m.
A camel herder told police that at about 12:30 p.m., while taking his camels to a watering point in Biyagadud, he heard gunshots and saw armed individuals firing at people who were lying on the ground. Fearing for his life, he fled and alerted village elders.
The elders rushed to the scene and discovered the bodies of five men.
Police officers who later visited the area established that the victims had their hands tied in pairs before they were shot.
The deceased were identified as Abdi Kullow, 33, who sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of the head, Osman Abdi Ibrahim, 35, who was shot in the chin and right palm, Mohamed Adow, 25, who was shot in the forehead, with the bullet exiting through the back of the head, Siyat Jele, 40, who suffered a similar gunshot wound to the forehead and Sahal Hile, 28, who was shot in the right forehead.
Police processed and documented the scene before attempting to transfer the bodies to Garissa Level 5 Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.
However, members of the public resisted the move and instead buried the victims immediately in accordance with Islamic rites.
The motive behind the killings has not yet been established, and police have launched investigations to identify those responsible. No arrests have been reported.
Tension had been rising in the area in past days over fears of inter clan fighting.
On Saturday, a dramatic security operation unfolded in Bangale, Tana River County, after a mob of about 300 people stormed the local police station and freed a suspect who had been arrested over alleged plans to incite ethnic violence.
The suspect, identified as Ismail Abdille, described by police as a Wardei youth leader, was arrested early Saturday morning by detectives led by the Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer (SCCIO). Police allege he was involved in mobilising members of the Wardei community against the neighbouring Degodia community.
During the arrest, officers reportedly recovered Sh340,000 from the suspect’s house, which investigators believe was part of Sh1 million allegedly intended to finance the mobilisation of youths.
After being processed at Bangale Police Station, the suspect was being escorted to Madogo Police Station when a crowd of about 300 people descended on the station. The mob blocked the main gate and began pelting officers with stones in an apparent attempt to secure the suspect’s release.
Police responded by firing teargas canisters and warning shots into the air, but the crowd overwhelmed the officers and succeeded in rescuing the suspect from lawful custody.
During the confrontation, officers fired 120 rounds of ammunition in efforts to calm the situation.
Two police vehicles—a Toyota Land Cruiser attached to Madogo Police Station and a Toyota Probox belonging to the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Bangale—had their windscreens smashed by the mob.
No injuries were reported.
Reinforcements from the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) at Katumba later arrived and dispersed the crowd before they could block the Mwingi-Garissa highway.
Police have since intensified patrols around Bangale Shopping Centre to prevent retaliatory attacks on homes and businesses belonging to members of the Degodia community.
Authorities said the security situation has since stabilised, although efforts are underway to re-arrest the escaped suspect and investigate those involved in the attack on the police station.
Local leaders condemned the incident and called for urgent actions to ensure those behind it are arrested and prosecuted.
Coast police commander Ali Nuno said they were looking for all those involved in the saga. He said a team was pursuing crucial leads into the attack.
“The suspect will be arrested with the gang that freed him. We have a team on the ground,” he said.
The area has been experiencing sporadic clashes pitting communities living there.
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