Suspected Al Shabaab kill six police reservists

 Some of the Security operations around Boni Forest areas in Lamu County recently. [Maarufu Mohamed/Standard]

Suspected Al Shabaab militants yesterday killed at least six police reservists in a morning attack that left four others injured in Fafi, Garissa County.

According to security sources, an unknown number of insurgents attacked their camp at Biyamadhow in Hagadera with sophisticated weapons, overrunning the facility, which had 15 officers.

The attackers are said to have taken firearms belonging to the slain reservists. The incident occurred against the backdrop of a lull in Al Shabaab activity following heightened security surveillance in the area.

Recently, the government recruited locals known as Macawisley and provided them with weapons to help flush out the militants.

Unlike local police reservists, the Macawisley are mainly youth who have undergone rigorous training to confront the insurgents.

The Macawisley have been receiving stipends from the government and are strategically placed in areas near the Kenya-Somali border.

Speaking to The Standard on phone, Fafi MP Salah Yakub blamed the government for the security lapse, claiming State officials ignored the advice of local leaders.

He said the Interior ministry has not honoured its promise to recruit at least 300 reservists.

According to the MP, the government should consider supporting the community by arming them to defend themselves against the militants.

Furthermore, he said the government had failed to recruit additional chiefs who would help gather intelligence and that the few administrative units cannot secure the Kenya-Somalia border.

“The county remains highly vulnerable due to security lapses that allow these attacks to persist, unless the government fulfils its promise,” said Salah.

Meanwhile, at least one person died while 11 others were airlifted to Lamu for treatment yesterday after being attacked by individuals believed to be security agents during an operation in the border town of Hulugho. The herders were said to have been rounded up on Saturday morning before being beaten, resulting in the death of Abdi Sabdow Mohamed, who succumbed to his injuries after heavy bleeding.

The injured were identified as Feisal Salat Mohamed, Abdi Salat Mohamed, Abdi Hassan Elmi, Abdihakim Jimale Aden, Abdi Aden Sabdow, Ibrahim Hassan Abdi, Osman Mohamed Abdi, Abdullahi Ahmed Mohamed, Adan Nuno Abdi, Abdi Kadi Nuno Abdi and Hassan Bare Abdi. The incident occurred in the Kurunjo grazing area, Hadi location, in Hulugho ward.

A chopper dispatched by National Intelligence Service Director General Noordin Haji airlifted the injured to a hospital in Lamu in an incident that has drawn the ire of local leaders.

According to a local administrator, the deceased and injured were among a large group of herders searching for pasture in Boni Forest.

Ijara MP Abdi Ali Abdi claimed the unprovoked attack resulted in the tragic loss of one life and injuries, and that several others, including women and children, were missing, while over 5,000 head of cattle remained unaccounted for.

“Ijara constituency is today in a state of fear and helplessness in the eyes of those it perceives as its protectors. I am deeply saddened and outraged by this unfortunate incident,” said Ali.

The lawmaker, while condemning the attack, said pastoralist communities have long relied on traditional grazing routes, and during severe drought, they have no choice but to move in search of pasture for their livestock, which is their only source of livelihood.

“It is unacceptable and irresponsible of the government that, instead of offering assistance to communities struggling with drought, security forces have resorted to harming our people and destroying their belongings,” noted Ali.