Police in Mombasa have arrested two suspects linked to a violent March 14 robbery in Maganda, recovering an AK-47 rifle stolen from a police officer during the brazen attack.
According to the statement by the Director of Criminal Investigations, the suspects, identified as 49-year-old Pius Okech Ondijo, also known as Pius Philemon Ondicho, and Nicholus Oluoch Okoth, were apprehended following a coordinated operation by detectives from Jomvu and officers from Mikindani Police Station.
The arrest followed what investigators described as a “relentless manhunt” after the firearm was “wrenched from the hands of a police officer in the heart of Mombasa County.”
Acting on a tip-off, officers raided a hideout in the Bangladesh area targeting Ondijo, described as a prime suspect.
“As the officers stormed Ondijo’s hideout, they announced their presence with authority, but he didn’t budge,” the statement said. He allegedly attempted to flee but was chased down and arrested.
Upon interrogation, Ondijo led officers to another location in Narcol area linked to an accomplice, where they found Nicholus Okoth “lurking like a rat in the ceiling,” before swiftly arresting him.
A subsequent search of the house led to the recovery of the stolen AK-47 rifle, Serial No. 5426917, which had been “cleverly concealed in a sack on the ceiling,” alongside 30 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Authorities confirmed the weapon matched the one stolen during the robbery.
The suspects were taken to Mikindani Police Station and are awaiting processing and arraignment as police officers continue to pursue additional suspects believed to be part of the gang behind the robbery.
Authorities have urged members of the public to share information anonymously through the DCI hotline, assuring that “officers are hot on the trail of additional suspects.”
