Kenyan police officer missing after ambush by gangs in Haiti
The incident happened nearly a week after another Kenyan officer was injured while conducting a security operation in Kenscoff within the Belot area in Haiti.
A Kenyan police officer deployed in Haiti went missing after their convoy was ambushed by gangs when they were stuck in a ditch suspected to have been deliberately dug by the gangs in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The incident happened on Tuesday around 4.30 pm when the vehicle the officer was in, a Haitian National Police (HNP) armored vehicle, was used during a patrol along the Carrefour Paye-Savien Main Supply Route in the Pont-Sonde area, Artibonite Department.
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The Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSS) spokesperson Jack Ombaka said that in response to the incident, two MSS Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles from Pont-Sonde were dispatched to assist in the recovery.
"Unfortunately, during the recovery operation, one of the MRAPs also got stuck, while the other developed a mechanical issue. As the rescue teams attempted to resolve the situation, suspected gang members lying in wait launched an attack. As a result of the incident, one MSS Kenyan contingent officer remains unaccounted for," he explained.
Consequently, specialised teams have been deployed to conduct a search and determine his whereabouts.
The incident happened nearly a week after another Kenyan officer was injured while conducting a security operation in Kenscoff within the Belot area.
The mission said the officer was evacuated to Aspen hospital, where he was admitted in stable condition.
Following the attack, the mission received specialised medical equipment from Germany to enhance their effectiveness during operations.
The 1,000 individual first aid kits are specifically designed to ensure the survival of an officer in the event of an injury especially at the moment when the mission is engaged in a critical phase of operations.
The officers were then trained on how to use them and to apply the skills to their partners in the field.
At the same time, the mission has requested support to establish forward-operating bases, which will help bring security services closer to the people.
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