By Grace Gilo
An assault occurred late last night along the Eledimtu-Forolle Road in Marsabit County, situated just a few kilometres from the Ethiopian border.
The lorry, a Mitsubishi with registration number KBV 474Y, was driven by Ibrahim Jalla, who, along with six other passengers, remains unaccounted for following the violent incident.
The tragic event was reported to Forole Police Station by a 16-year-old survivor named Talaso Wato.
The attack took place around 9:00 PM.
“A report was made by Talaso Wato, a 16-year-old Gabra minor from Dukana, indicating that at approximately 2100 hours, while aboard a Mitsubishi lorry with registration number KBV 474Y, driven by Ibrahim Jalla, the vehicle was attacked by an armed group dressed in jungle attire in the Eledimtu area along the Forole-Turbi road, about 25 kilometres east of the station,” read the report from the Forolle Police.
A lorry transporting nine individuals was ambushed by an armed faction, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of seven individuals, including two minors from a local secondary institution.
The assailants fired upon the lorry indiscriminately before igniting it, causing some bodies to be burned beyond recognition.
The minor managed to escape and fled towards Forole. She further reported that the lorry was set ablaze by the assailants.
“By shooting the lorry indiscriminately. The minor managed to escape and run away towards Forolle. She further reported that the said lorry was torched by the said group,” stated the Police.
Six other passengers remain unaccounted for.