Police probe shooting of trader found dead in stalled car in Dadaab
Investigators suspect the victim may have been stopped by gunmen and shot after failing to comply with their demands.
A businessman based in the Dagahaley refugee camp in Dadaab, Garissa County, was found shot dead in his car on Wednesday, July 9, triggering a police investigation into what is believed to be a targeted attack by gunmen.
His body was discovered inside a stalled vehicle abandoned along the Dagahaley–Welhar road.
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Residents using the road alerted authorities about the parked vehicle, prompting officers to respond.
When police arrived at the scene, they found a Toyota Succeed with a visible bullet hole on the windscreen, right at the driver’s side.
Inside the car, the driver was leaning against the steering wheel, with blood on his back.
The victim was identified as Osman Ahmed Abdulahi, 42, a businessman and refugee from Block 11 within the Dagahaley camp.
Officers also recovered a spent cartridge, believed to be from a 7.6mm special firearm, about 100 metres from where the car had stalled.
This suggests the shooting may have occurred as the trader was driving through the area.
Investigators suspect Osman may have been stopped by gunmen and shot after failing to comply with their demands.
Authorities believe the attackers could be linked to al Shabaab or local armed groups who operate along roads in the region.
The border area, which lies near Somalia, has been troubled by insecurity over the years, with gunmen crossing into Kenya to carry out attacks before retreating across the border.
Police say militants often ambush road users in remote areas.
While intensified operations have helped reduce coordinated attacks, isolated cases continue to surface.
Officers say refugees in the region also face risks, including being tracked down by groups from across the border.
Osman’s body was taken to the mortuary pending a postmortem, as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
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