14 Aps rescue colleague from police station commando style

APS in action in this file photo: Their RDU colleagues from Kapendo Camp in Mandera County last night stormed Mandera Police Station and rescued their mate who had been arrested on suspicion of robbery with violence. [File, Standard]

Fourteen Administration Police officers on Thursday night stormed Mandera Police Station and rescue a colleague arrested for robbery with violence.

The officers from the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) Kapendo camp in Mandera went to the station on foot and in full combat gear.

“The officers started firing in the air and one officer forcefully demanded the keys from the cell's sentry No. 107120 PC James Maina while pointing a G3 rifle gun at him,” read the OB report.

Mandera Police Station had seven officers including the OCS during the daring 2030Hrs rescue.

Corporal Richard Githaka Karanja, who was due to take plea today, was being held for alleged violent robbery.

He was in the cell with 11 other inmates at the time of the rescue. The 11 did not leave when their cell was opened.

“After the RDU officers had rescued their colleague, they fired four rounds in the air and departed towards their Kapendo camp which is about 5 kilometres south-west of the station,” the OB report noted.

It added that the officers left on foot saying they could not be arrested by regular police. This brings to fore the conflict between regular police and Administration Police.

Investigations into the matter have commenced with both the Mandera East OCPD and DCIO visiting the police station. 

Police spokesman Charles Owino did not respond to our call and text message when we sought his comment.