Regional NIS boss replace Biriq as RC in sweeping security changes

GARISSA—The Northeastern Regional Commissioner (RC) has been replaced by the regional head of National Intelligence Service in latest sweeping changes affecting other junior head of county security team across the region.

The immediate former RC, Mohamed Birik was replaced by the NIS head of Border Control Frontier, Nicodemus Musyoki Ndalana. Birik was recalled back to Harambee House.

The changes come as the entire Wajir County security team is set to be revamped following increase in unsolved terror attacks and shocking revelation that police officers facilitate the availability of drugs to youths in the area.

The first to be affected is the head of the county security team, County Commissioner Lyford Kibaara who stayed in Wajir since 2017 in far reaching series of transfers that will also impact on the entire Directorate of the Criminal Investigations who are believed to aid in the distribution of drugs across the county, particularly the bhang from Ethiopia.

The Wajir County Commandant, Stephen Ngetich is also set to be transferred.

Northeastern has lately seen spike in unsolved terror attacks and rise in armed clan militias. The drug menace has also gotten out of hand as locals blame the security teams of aiding in the distribution.

Just over a week, three attacks took place in Wajir, Garissa and Mandera counties staged by Al Shabab targeting construction workers and machineries.

Just two days ago, Al Shabab militants destroyed construction machineries worth sh39 million in night attack in Mandera County.

The 2:40 am attack took place in Hagarsu area at Bida sub location where the construction of Arabia-Mandera road is going on. The road is notorious for landmines planted by the Somalia-based militants.

Barely a week ago, two construction workers were evening killed in an attack by unknown assailants in Fafi while working at the site, area police boss said.

The unidentified men were killed at 6pm while working at Harbole Jara Jara division. It was immediately clear why the construction workers were targeted.

North Eastern regional commissioner Mohammed Bariq said that authorities were pursuing the attackers.

“We have sent our officers to the ground. They are yet to get full information on the attack and there is a communication problem,” Biriq told Nation.

Elsewhere, Al-shaabab militants abducted four construction workers in Wel Garas, an area near Konton town in Wajir East. 

“The incident happened on Tuesday night at around 10pm,” Deputy County Commissioner Wajir East, Omar Beja told Kulan Post.

The twin attack comes at the backdrop of just released intelligence report indicating that the region will see spike in attacks by the Somalia based militant group.