Five chiefs abducted by Al-Shabaab in Mandera in February have been released after two months in captivity in Somalia.
Their freedom was secured through community-led negotiations.
In February 2025, five village chiefs from Mandera County, Kenya—Mohammed Adawa, Mohammed Hassan, Mohammed Noor, Assistant Chief Ibrahim Gabow, and Senior Chief Abdi Suraw—were abducted by suspected Al-Shabaab militants while traveling to Elwak for official duties.
The Kenyan government, opting against a military rescue to avoid further risk, engaged local elders to negotiate their release.
After approximately two months in captivity in Somalia, the chiefs have been released and reunited with their families.
This incident underscores the persistent security challenges along the Kenya-Somalia border and highlights the importance of community-led initiatives in conflict resolution.
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