Isiolo: 3 Gunmen Shoot Somali Council of Elders' Secretary-General While Heading for Prayers
- The Somali Council of Elders' secretary general, Idle Hassan, was heading for his prayers at the Jamia Mosque in Isiolo town when armed men approached him
- The unknown assailants then shot him multiple times before leaving him for dead outside the mosque
- Following the incident, the police took over the case as they issued an update on the health status of the secretary-general
Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
A family in Isiolo has been immersed in panic after their loved one, Idle Hassan, was attacked by gunmen while on his way to prayers at the Jamia Mosque.
Source: Facebook
According to a police statement obtained by TUKO.co.ke Ali Ibrahim, the brother of the victim, reported the incident at the Isiolo Police Station.
Immediately, the police officers rushed to the scene and found that Hassan, who is the Somali Council of Elders' secretary general, had sustained gunshot injuries.
" It was reported by Mr. Ali Ibrahim that around 20:45 hours, his brother was shot by unknown persons while heading to Isha prayers at Jamia Mosque. Immediately, officers from Isiolo Police Station and DCI Isiolo rushed to the scene (map ref 431388), about 2km south of the station, and established that Mr. Idle Hassan, S/M/A aged 60 years, had sustained bullet wounds to his left hip, buttock, and lower umbilical cord, with all bullets lodged," the police statement read in part.
The 60-year-old man was then rushed to the Alfala Hospital before being later referred to Galaxy Hospital for further medical care.
Hassan, who is in serious condition, was transferred again to Life Care Hospital Meru for further medical assessment.
Who shot Idile Hassan?
Upon further investigations, the police were able to establish that the three assailants, whose identities are yet to be established, were riding on a motobike when they shot Hassan.
"Preliminary information reveals that the assailants were three, riding on a motorbike and had masked their faces. They attacked the victim while in motion and sped away after the attack," they further stated.
The police further stated that the motorbike registration number was not captured. While assessing the crime scene, the officers stated that they were able to find six empty spent cartridge cases and one ball head.
Other than Hassan being shot, the police stated that motor vehicles at the scene were also damaged after they were sprayed with bullets.
"KDE 709B, Toyota Fielder, white in color, belonging to Mr. Adan Hussein, resident of Chechelesi. Vehicle hit with one round entry at the right windshield and exiting at the front windshield."
"KBX 664F, Toyota Hilux, white in color, belonging to Hussein Isak, resident of Wabera. Vehicle hit at the left side front mudguard, with the bullet exiting at the front bumper. All the vehicles were parked at the mosque parking yard. The scene was processed by CSI Isiolo. Case P.U.I. DCI Isiolo is handling the case," the police said.
Isiolo governor condemns Idile's shooting
Following Idle's shooting, the Isiolo governor, Guyo Abdi Ibrahim, issued a statement condemning the act. He claimed that the attack seemed to be linked to the Idile's stance against the impeachment process.
"There is growing concern over the presence of suspected OLF operatives in Isiolo, whose intentions may be to instil fear and disrupt the peace that our communities have preserved for more than two decades," Governor Guyo's statement read.
The county boss further called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and ensure that the perpetrators behind Idile's death are brought to book.
Did Abdi Guyo survive impeachment?
The secretary general's shooting comes weeks after Guyo survived his impeachment at the Senate level.
Source: Facebook
On Tuesday, July 8, a majority of senators voted in favour of a motion to save the embattled governor.
The Senate speaker, Amason Kingi, had announced that the impeachment proceedings had been revoked after most senators agreed with the governor's preliminary arguments.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
