Family Demands Answers After Senior NPR Officer Disappears in Isiolo

A senior National Police Reservist officer in Isiolo County has been reported missing after he was allegedly abducted by masked men on 20 December, with his family demanding answers from the government.

The officer, identified as Malele Abdi Hassan, disappeared at about 5.30 pm while travelling home on his motorcycle. Local leaders say he was seized by three masked individuals in the Burat area, where he served as a senior NPR officer overseeing local security duties. His whereabouts remain unknown.

Family members say Hassan had no involvement in criminal activity and describe him as a committed officer who carried out his responsibilities diligently. They argue there was no known threat that would explain his sudden disappearance.

Concerns have grown following the response of security agencies after the case was reported. Relatives state that shortly after they alerted Isiolo Police Station and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, officers went to Hassan’s home and collected his official firearm without providing an explanation.

The move has raised questions among family members and community leaders, some of whom believe the action suggests official knowledge of the incident. One relative said the authorities appeared more focused on retrieving the weapon than on locating the missing officer.

Ajuran Clan chairman Adan Mohamud said the collection of the firearm immediately after the report was made required clarification. He questioned why there had been no visible progress in efforts to trace Hassan, adding that the government should account for the handling of the case.

Residents of Burat say the disappearance has created uncertainty in the area, particularly because Hassan was responsible for coordinating security operations. NPR officers play a key role in supporting police work in regions affected by insecurity.