Notorious Bandit, Two Accomplices Shot Dead in Turkana

TURKANA Kenya March 31. The notorious bandit who was part of the armed men who gang-raped an expectant school head teacher in February 2023 has been shot dead together with his two accomplices.

Simon Egielan Lopongorei, 37, is described as a notorious bandit who has three pending court cases of robbery with violence, gang-rape and threatening to kill.

The National Police Service (NPS) headquarters on Sunday morning said Lopongorei had been under investigation for a series of unresolved violent crimes, including highway robberies stock-theft and possession of illicit firearms for hire within Loima Sub-County.

The NPS said a joint team of security officers was acting on intelligence and tip off from members of the public that there was a gang of armed men at Kangalita in Kalemnyang .

On sensing the presence of security officers, the gang opened fire, prompting a shootout with the officers.

In the ensuing gun fight, Lopongorei, Lokucha Ngeruk aka ‘Sharpshooter’ 39, and Tiya Logumo, 21 were shot dead. Ngeruk is believed to be a close associate and aide to Lopongorei, the gang-leader.

“He has been on the run after having identified as the killer of a police officer at Kangalita about three ago,” police headquarters.

He is also said to be part of the group that organized and ambushed and injured the then Lorugum OCS while his accomplice was shot dead.

“The other bandits who were also armed escaped and efforts to trace them ongoing,” police said.

An AK47 rifle with a magazine containing 3 rounds of ammunitions was also recovered. Police said it had no serial number and at the scene a total of 10 spent cartridges were also recovered from the scene.

“No casualty was reported on the part of security officers,” police headquarters said.