Chief's mutilated head found after abduction by Al-Shabaab in Kenya

WAJER, Kenya - The head of an administrator who was abducted by suspected Al-Shabaab militants was found in Gumarey sub-location of Wajir badly mutilated as the police were forced to heighten their search at least to recover the torso, which is still missing.

Omar Aden was abducted on Friday from Gumerey at Khorof Harar in Wajir East and his head found on Monday at around 10 am. This area is prone to Al-Shabaab attacks despite being heavily protected by the Ranger Squad unit of the Kenya Defense Forces [KDF].

Police reports indicate that authorities are yet to recover the rest of the body. This incident remains unique because the Somalia-based militants rarely behead those they perceive enemies but shooting and killing them is not strange.

Police say the chief's severed head was found by herders along the Chinese cutline between Khorof Harar and Konton. Authorities have been looking for the administrator ever since he went missing under unclear circumstances.

"The scene was visited and established that the deceased was beheaded at another place and head placed at the road. The scene was photographed and the head was taken to Khorof Harar police station awaiting to be taken to Wajir county Referral Hospital mortuary," reads the police report.

The abduction happened on Friday at Gumerey center when Al-Shabaab reportedly invaded the area and ordered residents to switch off their phones before lecturing them, security briefs say.

A police brief had earlier indicated that the militants walked away with the chief who was said to be on security officials' radar as an alleged Shabaab sympathizer. The militants often target those who work with the government, especially the security forces.

GAROWE ONLINE