A police officer attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was fatally shot on Monday in a suspected terrorist attack near the Kenya-Somalia border in Lafey, Mandera County.
The incident occurred during a brazen daylight assault, where the assailants ambushed the officer, who was driving a four-wheel-drive police vehicle, before escaping with the vehicle.
According to police reports, the attackers dumped the officer’s body and abducted a passenger who was in the vehicle.
Authorities suspect the gang had been lying in wait for the vehicle to pass through the area before launching the attack.
Hassan Kulow Maalim’s convoy in Mandera county
ADAN HAJI YUSSUF
Reports indicate that the passenger in the police vehicle was discovered abandoned in nearby bushes with serious injuries.
The passenger, a worker at a local fuel station, was rushed to Lafey Sub-County Referral Hospital for specialised treatment.
Residents in the vicinity of the attack also sustained serious injuries during the intense gunfire exchange and were similarly taken to hospital.
The area where the attack occurred has long been plagued by terrorists, who frequently carry out assaults.
Following the brazen incident, a multi-agency security team was deployed to search the area and pursue the attackers. However, the gunmen had already fled, and police believe they crossed the border into Somalia.
The slain officer’s body has been transferred to a local morgue, pending examination by a government pathologist.
The area Member of Parliament, Mohamed Abdikheir, condemned the attack, calling it “unfortunate.”
“My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the slain driver, and I wish a speedy recovery to Muhumed Bashir,” he said, adding that he was working with top security officials to enhance security in the region.
The Northeastern and Coastal regions of Kenya have been frequent targets of Al-Shabaab attacks due to their proximity to the Kenya-Somalia border.
A June report by the Centre for Human Rights and Policy Studies (CHRIPS) highlighted 72 attacks in five Northeastern and Coastal regions in 2023. Mandera accounted for 25 attacks, resulting in 72 deaths, while Garissa reported 23 attacks, claiming 71 lives.
Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers inspect the security fencing at the Kenya-Somali border on February 21, 2017
Daily Nation