BLOGS
Al shabaab attack Liboi police post, several officers missing
Al shabaab has however not claimed the attack, (Courtesy)
GARISSA—Suspected Al-Shabaab militants attacked a police post in Garissa on Tuesday, county police boss David Kerina said.
The militants attacked Hamey Police Post, Liboi village which is located near the Kenya-Somalia border at 2am.
Mr Kerina, said an Administration Police officer remained unaccounted for on Tuesday afternoon following the attack.
He added that four officers sustained minor injuries and are out of danger.
Garissa County Commissioner Joshua Chepchieng said about 20 heavily armed militants believed to have crossed from neighboring Somalia attempted to raid an Administration Police camp in Amey but were repulsed.
“We have information that the militants have been planning to attack the camp and other key installations along the border but have been on high alert,” Chepchieng told journalists in Garissa.
The commissioner said the militants partially destroyed a Safaricom mast, which has weakened mobile phone communication in the area.
“We have dispatched officers to reinforce the camp and pursue the attackers. We also have an helicopter doing aerial surveillance and supporting the ground teams,” he said.
The mobile service provider Safaricom was repairing its masts in Ijara that was extensively damaged late last year following assurance that security had been beefed up.
The Somali-based militants have in the recent past staged attacks targeting security officials in areas around the Kenya-Somalia border.
On Thursday last week, five police officers were injured when suspected Al-Shabab militants planted Improvise Explosive Devices on the road.
There were reports that a number of police officers were injured but in the heavy gun fire between the two sides but Chepchieng denied such reports.
North Eastern regional commissioner Mohamud Saleh previously said security for the masts would be enhanced. He said they should be erected close to security camps.
According to a police source, the officers at the station had prior intelligence of an impending attack and were ready to fight back.
