Security officers have foiled an attack and recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) during a patrol along the Garissa–Dadaab Road in Garissa County.

According to an X post on Saturday, May 23, 2026, the operation took place after a multi-agency security team spotted a man standing by the roadside in the Haji Aden area. Officers said the man raised suspicion as they carried out routine patrols in the area.

The officers approached the location and the man ran into nearby bushes. Security teams pursued him on foot through thick terrain before they managed to corner and arrest him.

After arresting him, officers took him back to the exact spot where he had been standing moments earlier. A search of the area led to the recovery of an IED concealed nearby.

According to the DCI KENYA, the recovery pointed to a planned attack that was in progress. The agency said the suspect had been handling the device before officers arrived.

“A potentially terror mission was thwarted after a multi-agency security team arrested a terror suspect recovering an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along the Garissa–Dadaab Road,” the agency said in its statement.

Officers also recovered additional items from the scene, including a military-style jungle jacket, trousers, and two mobile phones. Investigators said the items are now being treated as exhibits as part of ongoing investigations.

The person of interest was escorted to Garissa Police Station for processing. Detectives say they are continuing with investigations to establish whether he acted alone or had links to other networks.

The security team described the suspect’s actions as suspicious from the start.

“The moment he noticed the approaching security team, he took off into a nearby bush in a desperate bid to escape,” the statement added.

Police say the recovery of the IED helped prevent what could have been a serious attack along the busy road, which connects Garissa and Dadaab and is frequently used by civilians, traders, and security personnel.

Heightened security operations continue

Security agencies have in recent months increased patrols in the North Eastern region following several incidents involving the movement of weapons and suspected militant supplies. Earlier in May 2026, officers intercepted a passenger bus along the Thika–Garissa Highway carrying ammunition and government stores, raising concerns over how illegal cargo is moved through transport routes.

The latest incident adds to ongoing efforts by security agencies to disrupt such networks. Officers say they are now following leads to identify whether the recovered items are linked to wider operations.

Authorities have urged members of the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activity through official channels. The DCI KENYA reiterated that public cooperation remains key in preventing attacks and supporting investigations.