AK-47 Snatched from Police Officer Recovered in Dramatic Mombasa Crackdown, Three Suspects Arrested

A high-stakes police operation in Mombasa County has led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle that was violently snatched from a police officer, in what authorities now believe was a well-coordinated criminal act involving multiple suspects.

The incident, which occurred on March 14, 2026, in the Maganda area, sent shockwaves through security agencies after the service weapon disappeared into the hands of criminals. The theft immediately triggered an intensive manhunt, with detectives from Jomvu working closely with officers from Mikindani Police Station to track down those responsible.

Acting on intelligence, officers zeroed in on the Bangladesh area in Jomvu, where the prime suspect—49-year-old Pius Okech Ondijo, also known as Pius Philemon Ondicho—was believed to be hiding.

When officers moved in, the suspect attempted to flee, sparking a brief chase before he was eventually apprehended. His arrest marked a turning point in the investigation.

Under interrogation, Ondijo led detectives to a second hideout in the Narcol area, believed to be linked to one of his accomplices. It was here that the operation took a more dramatic turn.

As officers entered the premises, they discovered another suspect, identified as Nicholus Oluoch Okoth, concealed in the ceiling. He was swiftly arrested.

A thorough search of the house followed, with officers combing through every section of the structure. Their efforts paid off when they made a critical discovery—the stolen AK-47 rifle, serial number 5426917, carefully hidden in a sack within the ceiling. Alongside it were thirty rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

Authorities later confirmed that the recovered firearm was the same weapon taken from the police officer during the robbery in Maganda.

A third suspect, Kellars Wanyonyi, believed to be connected to the hideout, was also arrested as investigations widened.

The three suspects were escorted to Mikindani Police Station, where they are currently being processed ahead of their arraignment in court.

Police say investigations are still ongoing, with detectives pursuing additional suspects believed to be part of the group behind the robbery. Authorities suspect the operation may have involved a broader criminal network, raising concerns over the intended use of the stolen weapon before its recovery.

The successful retrieval of the rifle marks a significant breakthrough, but security agencies remain on high alert as the search for remaining suspects continues.