•The Region is in a State of Fear Over Rising Enforced Disappearances
Isiolo Town, Kenya| The quiet streets of Isiolo Town have been overshadowed by growing anxiety and anguish as Malele Abdi Hassan, the respected Head of National Police Reservists (NPR) for West Location, remains missing more than a week after his alleged abduction.
A vetted security official and devoted father of nine, Hassan’s disappearance has ignited widespread concern, amplifying fears of a disturbing surge in enforced disappearances across Kenya’s northern regions.
On December 20, 2025, at approximately 5:30 PM, Malele Abdi Hassan was reportedly seized by unknown masked men in the heart of Isiolo Town.
The incident was promptly recorded at Isiolo Police Station under Occurrence Book (OB) Number 47, yet no suspects have been identified, and Hassan’s whereabouts remain unknown.
Colleagues and family members describe him as a dedicated community protector, instrumental in maintaining peace amid recurring banditry and inter-communal tensions in the region.
This chilling event follows closely on the heels of another abduction: 37-year-old Guyo Lubo (also referred to in some reports as Abdi Lubo), who was forcibly taken from the central business district near Merti Hotel on December 19, 2025.
Lubo, a father recovering from recent brain surgery to remove a tumor, requires daily specialized medication—a fact that has heightened urgency in appeals for his safe return.
His family, led by his wife Tume Jillo Waqo, has expressed profound distress, warning that prolonged detention without medical care could prove fatal.
The Isiolo Ajuran community, to which Hassan belongs, along with local professionals and residents, has united in a powerful collective appeal to the Kenyan government.
They demand immediate disclosure of Hassan’s location and guarantees for his safety, emphasizing his status as a government-vetted security officer.
“We cannot stand idly by as our leaders and innocent citizens vanish without trace,” community representatives have stated, highlighting the irony and injustice of a law enforcement figure becoming a victim of apparent lawlessness.
These back-to-back incidents have fueled broader alarms about a potential escalation in enforced disappearances in Isiolo County and beyond.
While national reports in 2025 have documented dozens of abductions linked to various security operations, local voices insist that suspects—regardless of allegations—must be produced in open court rather than subjected to secret detention.
As of December 24, 2025, authorities had yet to release an official statement on either case, leaving families in limbo and the community demanding transparency and accountability.
Hassan’s role as NPR Head underscores the vulnerability even of those tasked with upholding security. National Police Reservists play a critical frontline role in pastoralist areas like Isiolo, combating banditry and livestock theft.
His abduction not only devastates his family of nine children but also erodes public trust in protection mechanisms.
As the festive season unfolds amid sorrow, the people of Isiolo call on national leaders, human rights bodies, and security agencies to act swiftly.
The cases of Malele Abdi Hassan and Guyo Lubo serve as stark reminders of the human cost of unresolved insecurity and alleged rights violations.
The community vows to continue pressing for justice, insisting that no one—especially a guardian of peace—deserves to disappear into the shadows.
This developing story highlights ongoing challenges in Kenya’s northern frontier, where calls for reinforced security and respect for due process grow louder by the day.
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