Five police officers lost their lives on Tuesday in Mandera County following an attack by suspected Al-Shabaab militants during a security patrol near Wantey Dam.
The incident occurred approximately six kilometres southeast of the Special Operations Group (SOG) camp at Alungu in Lafey Sub-County. The patrol team encountered the militants while conducting operations in the area.
Victims and Incident Details
- The deceased officers include Ngaira Wekesa, Administration Police Constables Patrick Mwaura Karumba, Peter Mbugua Mburu, Yasin Kiptoo Lomer, and National Police Reservist Adan Adow Gedi.
- Four officers were attached to the SOG, while one was a National Police Reservist.
- The patrol was ambushed in the Wantey Dam area, resulting in fatal injuries to the officers.
Security Response
Following the attack, a Quick Response Unit from SOG Alungu was dispatched to reinforce the patrol and pursue the attackers. However, the reinforcement team’s armoured vehicle was destroyed by an improvised explosive device (IED) en route to the scene. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the responding officers.
The use of roadside bombs by suspected Al-Shabaab militants along the Kenya-Somalia border remains a significant security concern. Authorities have launched ongoing operations to track and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
