Six persons of interest have been apprehended in connection with a daring highway robbery in Mbumbuni, Mbooni East Sub-County, highlighting the growing menace of road-based criminal gangs.

This incident is part of a broader trend of highway robberies that have raised public concern over the safety of commuters in rural and peri-urban areas.

According to a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Thursday, December 25, 2025, the incident occurred when a complainant was travelling from Mbumbuni to Muuani in a Toyota Probox.

Upon reaching Sofia Shopping Centre in Muuani, the vehicle was ambushed by a group of assailants, some riding motorcycles while others lurked by the roadside.

“The gang hit the front windscreen using a shaving machine while displaying a toy gun, causing the driver to pull over,” the DCI wrote on X.

The sleuths said the robbers then assaulted the passengers, leaving them with head injuries before stealing cash and other valuables.

This latest case exposes the calculated methods employed by criminal gangs targeting motorists on major highways.

DCI’s account suggests that attackers often use a combination of improvised weapons and intimidation tactics to force victims to stop, making highways increasingly perilous for travellers.

In a swift response, officers from Mbumbuni Police Station launched a manhunt that led to the arrest of six persons of interest.

The detectives recovered a handbag belonging to the complainant during a search along a footpath leading to the residence of two of the two persons of interest.

In addition, a toy pistol was recovered from one of the persons of interest, the DCI further confirming the use of imitation weapons in the robbery.

Highway robbery explained

The DCI have said that the persons of interest are now in custody, undergoing processing ahead of arraignment.

“This successful operation is a clear warning to criminals who prey on innocent motorists that the law will catch up with them,” the statement noted.

Highway robberies often involve meticulous planning, with gangs observing targets before striking.

The use of motorcycles and foot accomplices allows them to escape quickly, posing a significant challenge to law enforcement.

DCI have urged motorists to remain vigilant, especially when travelling through isolated or poorly lit roads, and to report any suspicious activity immediately.