Isiolo resident Sadam Buke is in police custody, contrary to claims circulating on social media that he was abducted. The National Police Service (NPS) has clarified that Buke was arrested as part of ‘Operation Ondoa Jangili,’ a security initiative targeting suspected criminal elements in Isiolo and Marsabit counties.
According to a statement from NPS, Buke is suspected of being a key facilitator and coordinator of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in both Isiolo and Marsabit. “We wish to clarify that Sadam Buke is in lawful custody alongside others. He is suspected of being a key facilitator and coordinator of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in both Isiolo and Marsabit Counties,” the statement read.
Buke’s arrest, along with that of other unnamed suspects, is part of the broader government effort to dismantle criminal networks linked to the OLA, a militant group active in Ethiopia’s Oromia region. The OLA comprises former armed members of the Oromo Liberation Front who rejected a peace deal and disillusioned youth protestors who abandoned nonviolent resistance.
Reports of Buke’s disappearance had caused an uproar on social media, with Isiolo residents expressing concerns over his whereabouts. Witnesses alleged that Buke was picked up by unidentified individuals at a restaurant in Isiolo, leading to speculation about his possible abduction. The NPS, however, refuted these claims, insisting that his arrest was lawful and part of an ongoing security operation.
‘Operation Ondoa Jangili’ is a multi-agency security initiative launched to dismantle criminal hideouts used by the OLA in Kenya. This operation comes amid increasing concerns from both Kenya and Ethiopia over the group’s involvement in cross-border crimes. Last month, President William Ruto met with Ethiopia’s Director General of the National Intelligence Security Service, Redwan Hussien, alongside Kenya’s Director General of National Intelligence Service, Noordin Haji, to discuss security threats posed by the OLA.
Authorities have assured the public that Buke and other arrested suspects will be arraigned in court, where they will face charges in accordance with the law. Meanwhile, security agencies continue to carry out operations in Isiolo and Marsabit to root out individuals linked to the OLA.
As the crackdown intensifies, the government urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies. The ongoing security operation is expected to continue until authorities dismantle all networks associated with the OLA in Kenya.
