Three Highway Robbers Masquerading as Traffic Officers Gunned Down After Hijacking UN Official

Flying Squad detectives shot dead three suspected highway robbers in Machakos County on Tuesday.

The three criminals were gunned down after allegedly hijacking a United Nations official at Mukuyuni area near Masii town in Machakos.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) says the three suspects were in a five-man gang and were masquerading as traffic police officers along Machakos–Kitui Road.

“The five men were performing traffic duties along Machakos-Kitui Rd when detectives commanded them to surrender, instead they fired at the officers,” says the DCI.

The other two suspects managed to escape with detectives rescuing the UN official who had been handcuffed. He was unhurt.

During the operation, detectives recovered a pistol, several rounds of ammunition, traffic police uniform and a car that the suspects were using.

Police have launched a hunt for the two suspects who escaped.

The suspects are said to have been flagging down vehicles and extorting money and valuables from motorists.