Suspected Shabaab militant killed in security operation
What you need to know:
The operation has been going on for more than a week in parts of Tarbaj and Wajir East sub-counties after eight security officers were killed in an IED attack in Bojigaras last week.
The militants made away with fire arms and ammunitions belonging to the officers before fleeing towards Somalia border during the attack.
The suspect is said to have been killed in an area between Mansa and Bojigaras.
A suspected Al-Shabaab member was on Wednesday killed in Tarbaj, Wajir County, in an ongoing operation to flush out the militants.
The operation has been going on for more than a week in parts of Tarbaj and Wajir East sub-counties after eight security officers were killed in an IED attack in Bojigaras last week.
The militants made away with fire arms and ammunitions belonging to the officers before fleeing towards Somalia border during the attack.
INJURED
Addressing journalists, Wajir County commissioner Loyford Kibaara said that security officers came in contact with about four militants early Wednesday morning before a fierce gun battle ensued.
He added that one of them was killed while another one was seriously injured in the process but was whisked away by the other militants who fled into the bushes.
The suspect is said to have been killed in an area between Mansa and Bojigaras.
SYMPATHISERS
The operation was carried out by a joint team of police officers and police reservists.
Mr Kibaara said the officers are still in the area pursuing the suspects and will remain there until they find the militants.
“I want to assure all of you that we will not leave the area until we find all the militants or those who sympathise with them,” said Mr Kibaara.
The body of the suspect was later taken to Wajir Referral Hospital Wednesday evening.
INTERROGATION
Mr Kibaara warned the members of the public against providing the militants with food and water, saying some of the residents were using motorcycles to take food to the militants.
“We want to warn supporting the terrorists that we will treat you as a suspect because we want this people to starve until they reveal themselves,” he said.
He lauded the residents for agreeing to support the government in the fight against terror, saying Wednesday’s operation could not have been possible without their help.
He added that they had arrested nine suspects since the start of the operation and some of them are still under interrogation.
Mr Kibaara denied claims of harassment of innocent people, saying their operation is targeting only suspected militants.
HARASSMENT
“We are not after innocent people at all so let them relax and co-operate with the officers in this fight and people should not worry about that,” he said.
This comes after local leaders blamed security officers for use of excessive force and destruction of property.
He added that claims of security officers of burning shops were under investigation and he was hopeful that what really transpired will be known.
Mr Kibaara said that they will not relent in the fight against terror in the county.
