Raiders ‘outgunned policemen in attack’
What you need to know:
- The five reported as missing have been identified as Constable Henry Nyaga, AP Corporal Abdulahi Dagane, Constable Mohammed Gedi, Constable Elisha, and Constable David.
- There were earlier reports that Al-Shabaab attackers had set on fire a building at Fafi Centre, prompting the head of the Rapid Border Patrol Unit (RBPU) in Benane to respond.
- After the attack, a team of 59 officers was dispatched to the area in four vehicles. On arrival, they combed the bushes and found an AK47 rifle, which had a magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition.
Al-Shabaab gunmen overpowered police during a Monday attack in Garissa due to poor coordination among various security agencies and lack of communication network in Garissa, a report indicates.
The police report, which gives the details of the attack, show that police officers attacked in Yumbis had responded to at least three prior terror raids with little help from other security organs.
Although Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaiserry Thursday said all the officers had been accounted for, the report says that five of them are still missing.
The five reported as missing have been identified as Constable Henry Nyaga, AP Corporal Abdulahi Dagane, Constable Mohammed Gedi, Constable Elisha, and Constable David.
The first police vehicle was hit by a landmine after the team commander decided to drive about 30km away to reach a place where the officers could call their colleagues for reinforcement.
“The vehicle was hit by a landmine and as a result veered off the road on its way towards Hagadera where they were going to reach an area where they could call for reinforcement,” the report reads.
SET ON FIRE
There were earlier reports that Al-Shabaab attackers had set on fire a building at Fafi Centre, prompting the head of the Rapid Border Patrol Unit (RBPU) in Benane to respond.
As a result, five Administration Police officers were injured and their boss, a superintendent Simiyu, was shot in the left hand.
After the attack, a team of 59 officers was dispatched to the area in four vehicles. On arrival, they combed the bushes and found an AK47 rifle, which had a magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition.
“After combing the bushes, the team once again converged on the scene to try and bring Mr Simiyu’s car on its wheels and it was at that point that suspected Al-Shabaab militants sprung from their cover and started spraying bullets on the officers who fought back,” the report states.
During the gunfight at 5.50pm and involving 40 officers, two constables were injured.
The injured officers were airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment.
