Five individuals have been arrested in Wajir County, Kenya, in connection with a firearm and ammunition that were discovered on a Nairobi-bound bus belonging to Legend Bus Company. The bus, carrying 57 passengers, was intercepted at a roadblock on Tarbaj Highway during a routine checkpoint.

Upon inspection, the police found the suspects in possession of an AK47 rifle with a fixed butt stock and no serial number. The rifle was wrapped in a Somali brown red matt. Additionally, four empty AK-47 rifle magazines, two bolt head carriers without serial numbers, and 201 rounds of ammunition were also seized.

During questioning, the passengers failed to disclose the owner of the arms cache. The suspects are currently assisting the police with further investigations.

Authorities also discovered contraband goods on the bus, leading to the vehicle being directed to Tarbaj Police Station for further inspection. During a subsequent search, the weapons were found hidden on the rear passenger seat.

The case has been taken over by the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), who are currently interrogating the suspects. This incident occurs amidst a recent surge in terror-related activities, particularly in the vast North Eastern region of Kenya.

Just six days prior, a Special Operation Group conducted an ambush on Al-Shabaab hideouts in Mandera County, resulting in the deaths of 20 militants. The heightened security measures in response to these incidents aim to counter the ongoing threat of terrorism in the region.