MANDERA, Kenya – Five Somali elders who were abducted in February by the militant group Al-Shabaab have been released, according to local security sources. The elders had been seized near the town of Elwak in Mandera County and held inside Somalia for over a month.

The group was reportedly traveling toward Elwak when their vehicle was intercepted between the areas of Bamba Owla and Ires Suki. Initial reports suggest the elders may have been en route to meet Kenyan President William Ruto, who was visiting the North Eastern region of the country at the time.

Mandera South Police Commander Julius Njeru confirmed that the abduction took place as the group was moving from Wargadud toward Elwak. He stated that the elders were forcibly removed from their vehicle and taken across the border into Somalia.

While the motives behind the release remain unclear, independent reports indicate that local mediation efforts played a crucial role. Community elders and influential figures are believed to have engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations that ultimately led to the safe release of the captives.