By Lucas Ngasike | May. 22, 2025
Four suspected Ethiopian Dassanech militiamen implicated in the killing of four Kenyan fishermen last week near the volatile Todonyang border have been arrested by Ethiopian authorities.
According to sources from Ethiopian security agencies, the suspects were captured during a sting operation in their hideouts along River Omo and are currently being held at the Omorate Police Station in Ethiopia’s South Omo region.
The fishermen were attacked and shot at close range while sleeping on the shores of Lake Turkana, just a few meters from a Kenyan security patrol base.
The attackers then fled towards the Ethiopian villages of Lopeimukat and Lotira, taking with them firearms from the victims.
Omorate Woreda administrator Tadale Hate confirmed the arrests and said the suspects surrendered after security officers detained their parents.
“We have asked the Kenyan security officers to come and confirm the arrests and participate in the identification parade,” said Hate.
He added that the local administration is committed to long-term peace and stability along the troubled border.
The incident is part of a long-standing cycle of violence in the Todonyang region, which has witnessed deadly conflicts fueled by ethnic tensions, resource competition, and border disputes.
Turkana County Police Commander John Tarus acknowledged receiving reports of the arrests from their Ethiopian counterparts but stated that Kenyan security officers had not yet visited the area to verify the claims.
“There are logistical and security challenges that have delayed our officers from crossing into Ethiopia, but we remain in close communication with their authorities,” Tarus said
He confirmed that the slain fishermen were shot in cold blood and termed the attack a blatant provocation.
The killings have sparked outrage among residents and local leaders, who are demanding immediate action from the national government.
Jackson Nakusa, chairman of the Turkana Professional Association, condemned the “heinous act” and called on the government to flush out militia groups allegedly operating within Kenyan territory.
“We cannot continue to count the dead while our government watches. The border needs to be secured, and the Kenya Defence Forces must be deployed,” Nakusa said.
In February, more than 30 people were killed in Todonyang in what has been described as one of the deadliest massacres in the region’s recent history, further highlighting the urgent need for lasting solutions and enhanced cross-border cooperation.
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As tension remains high in the border region, residents have expressed fears of retaliatory attacks and urged the government to empower local police reservists who understand the terrain and can effectively respond to threats.
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Authorities on both sides of the border say they remain committed to joint efforts aimed at restoring peace and preventing further loss of life.