Police repulse militants at border point
What you need to know:
- Insecure road closed.
- Five armed men tried to sneak into Kenya through Mandera County.
Armed Al-Shabaab militants were on Thursday repulsed by security personnel as they tried to enter Kenya at the notorious Omar Jillo area in Mandera.
Mandera County Police Commander Job Boronjo said the five armed men were sighted by herdsmen who called Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) who responded on time.
“The incident happened on Thursday at around 9am when a herdsman saw five armed men at a waterpoint within the Omar Jillo area and alerted the KPRs who caught up with the militants some 16 km from the town before exchanging fire,” said Mr. Boronjo.
He said the KPRs overpowered the militants who dropped a hand grenade as they fled back into Somalia.
“We have recovered a hand grenade and we highly suspect the militants did sustain injuries,” said Mr. Boronjo.
He said the militants are suspected to have been plotting to target miraa transporting vehicles along the closed Mandera-Arabia-Lafey road.
“The road will remain closed and we advice all road users to switch to the safer Rhamu road as we continue monitoring and dealing with the insecurity along the Arabiya, Fino and Lafey areas,” said Mr. Boronjo.
Last Friday, three people survived narrowly after armed men attacked a miraa van along the same route.
ENHANCED SECURITY
The county police boss said regular police, General Service Unit police and the reservists were still combing the area for the second day in efforts to enhance security.
“We are putting much consideration within towns along the borderline with Somalia because the militants are running away from African Union forces pursuing them in Somalia,” said Mr Boronjo.
He said police will remain on alert as he called on the public to cooperate by reporting any suspicious characters in their midst.
