Security officers repulse al Shabaab attack in Garissa

Some Kenya Defence Forces armored tankers drive past the Nyali Bridge in Mombasa. [File, Standard]

Security officers at Bohole 5 in Hagadera refugee camp early Saturday morning successfully fought off an attempt by al-Shabaab militants to attack their camp.

Confirming the incident, Acting County Commissioner Solomon Chesut said an unknown number of suspected al-Shabaab militants hurled RPGs into the camp.

This, he said prompted the officers to respond resulting in a fierce fire exchange between the security officers and the militants.

“I can confirm that there was an attempted attack on our security officers but they are always alert and managed to overpower them,” said Chesut.

The County Commissioner added that security agencies have intensified operations around the area and have also sought the help of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to assist in aerial surveillance.

Militants have in the past taken advantage of the rainy season to stage attacks targeting security agencies in Northeastern, Lamu, and areas around Boni Forest.

There were also unconfirmed reports that the assailants also staged attacks at Jambele but were ejected by security forces in the area.

Fafi Member of Parliament Salah Yakub slammed the government for failure to act on intelligence to protect civilians and security officers discharging their duties.

The MP noted that the National Police Reservist can solve al-Shabaab menace once and for all.

“This is pure negligence from the government and my fear is that we might lose the entire area to al-Shabaab; we have been asking the government to recruit more police reservists but it hasn’t acted,” he said.