Calm returns to Lamu as ongoing Operation Linda Boni declared a great success
A KDF soldier on patrol in Mpeketoni, Lamu. The ongoing Operation Linda Boni in Lamu County and areas bordering Ijara and Garissa has recorded great success and will continue indefinitely, operations director James ole Serian has said. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- He confirmed that several old police stations had also been reinforced with additional security.
- He said patrols were being mounted by both the Kenya Defence Forces and other security agents both on land, air and even at sea.
- The operation was intended to end within three months but was later extended for more than two years.
The ongoing Operation Linda Boni in Lamu County and areas bordering Ijara and Garissa has recorded great success, seven months after it was launched by Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery.
The multi-agency security operation was launched on September 11, 2015, with its main objective being to hunt down Al-Shabaab militants suspected to be hiding inside the expansive Boni Forest.
Speaking to the Nation in Lamu on Monday, Operation Linda Boni Director James ole Serian said many suspects had been arrested in different places in the operation, having committed various offenses in Lamu, Garsen, Boni Land, Kibaoni, Bar’goni, Hulugho and Ijara in Garissa.
Mr Serian said as part of Operation Linda Boni, the government had established nine new police stations in the operation area with adequate personnel to ensure calm returns to the region.
He confirmed that several old police stations had also been reinforced with additional security.
He said patrols were being mounted by both the Kenya Defence Forces and other security agents both on land, air and even at sea.
“Operation Linda Boni is going on well. Calm is being experienced in the entire Lamu and its boarders with each passing day.
“All forces are holding aggressive patrols in the operation area on a daily basis,” said Mr Serian.
PUBLIC GIVE VITAL INFORMATION
He added, “This has been of great help to us. I want to sincerely thank the public in Lamu, Tana River and Garissa for their cooperation. They have given the security agencies useful information that has made the operation successful.”
Mr Serian also said they were working closely with many other stakeholders, including the county government of Lamu, local political leaders, Supkem, teachers and the general public, especially the Boni people, who he said were willing to give crucial leads that had led to the arrests of hundreds of suspects since the operation began.
Mr Serian said the operation would go on indefinitely until security is restored in the region and called for concerted efforts from all to ensure the Shabaab menace is eradicated.
He also revealed that the number of Al-Shabaab attacks and attempted attacks had declined especially after the operation started.
“Our security forces are very alert and that’s why the number of attacks and attempts by Al-Shabaab have greatly reduced compared with the earlier days,” he added.
The national government launched the operation after Al-Shabaab militants conducted several attacks on civilians, military and police vehicles in Lamu and Garissa.
The operation was intended to end within three months but was later extended for more than two years.
Areas that were earlier targeted for the operation included Holugho border point, Galmagala, Sangailu, Ijara, Masalani, Bodhei, Milimani, Basuba, Kiunga, Mararani, Baure and Ishakani.
In early January 2016, the government announced it would extend the operation to four key areas in Lamu, including Bodhei, Pandanguo, Witu, Pangani and the surrounding areas.
