3 Killed After Fierce Shootout with Police Officers

Three suspected bandits have been gunned down after a shootout with Police Officers in Lorugum, Turkana County.

In a statement on Sunday, March 31, the National Police Service (NPS) said one of the suspects identified as Simon Lopongorei is a notorious gang leader with three pending court cases of robbery with violence, gang-rape and threatening to kill.

The 37-year-old has also been on the police radar over highway robberies, possession of illicit firearms, and stock theft.

“Simon Egielan Lopongorei, 37, a notorious bandit and gang leader who has 3 pending court cases of robbery with violence, gang-rape, and threatening to kill; and has been under investigation for a series of unresolved violent crimes, including highway robberies stock-theft and possession of illicit firearms for hire within Loima Sub-County,” read the statement in part.

The second suspect was identified as Lokucha Ngeruk alias sharpshooter, a close associate and aide to Lopongorei.

According to the NPS, Ngeruk has been on the run since the killing of a police officer in Kangalita three years ago and the ambush of the Lorugum OCS on 28 December 2023. 

“Third is Tiya Logumo aged, 21 who is an accomplice to the two,” NPS stated.

Officers recovered an AK 47 rifle with a magazine containing 3 rounds of ammunition and spent cartridges from the scene. 

The bodies of the three suspects were taken to Lodwar County Referral Hospital for post-mortem examination. 

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Loima is continuing investigations into the alleged bandits.

“The National Police Service would like to thank members of the public for their continued cooperation in the ongoing Government efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the "Dangerous and Disturbed Zones" within the North Rift Region,” NPS added.