Detectives have neutralized a four-member gang in Nakuru North Sub-County following reports of robbery and violence in the area.
In a statement shared by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Saturday, April 14, the operation culminated in a fatal shootout with the armed gang.
According to the DCI, the gang had been linked to a series of robberies, all involving the use of a rifle.
The detectives said they acted on intelligence indicating that the gang was in Nakuru's Umoja Estate and swiftly moved to intercept them.
However, upon being confronted by the officers, the gang members opted for confrontation, opening fire in defiance.
"Following a spate of violent robberies within Nakuru North Sub-County where in every incident a rifle was used, a team comprising officers from DCI HQS, DCI Nakuru North and OCS Lanet in a mission to track down the perpetrators yesterday recovered the LIAI rifle that was being used after a fatal shootout with an armed gang. Acting on intelligence that an armed gang was sighted at Nakuru's Umoja Estate, the team conducted a sting operation in the area where the four-man gang was ambushed and ordered to surrender. But in defiance, they opened frenzied fire on the officers triggering a retaliation in self-defense," the statement read in part.
In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, two members of the gang sustained fatal injuries, while the other two managed to flee the scene, likely wounded.
Detectives said efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects are currently underway.
From the scene of the encounter, authorities said they recovered significant evidence implicating the gang in multiple criminal activities.
Among the items retrieved were a LIAI rifle loaded with four rounds of ammunition, along with a range of weapons including a panga, dagger, and hammer.
Additionally, balaclavas and spent cartridges were seized by Crime Scene Investigators.
"Two gang members were fatally injured while two others managed to escape with suspected gunshot wounds. Their pursuit is underway. From the felled robbers, a LIAI rifle loaded with four rounds of ammunition, a panga, dagger, hammer, a pair of pliers, balaclavas and spent cartridges were recovered. The scene has since been processed by the Crime Scene Investigators and the bodies moved to Nakuru Annex Morgue awaiting identification," the DCI stated.
Following protocol, the crime scene was processed by investigators, ensuring the preservation of evidence crucial to ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased have been transferred to the Nakuru Annex Morgue pending identification.
CITY THUGS NEUTRALIZED IN GUNFIGHT WITH POLICE, RIFLE RECOVERED.
Following a spate of violent robberies within Nakuru North Sub-County where in every incident a rifle was used, a team comprising officers from DCI HQS, DCI Nakuru North and OCS Lanet in a mission to track down the… pic.twitter.com/ntiQBBRNMY— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) April 14, 2024
