Al-Shabaab Targets Police Officers With Roadside Bomb in Kenya [PHOTOS]

GARISSA, Kenya - Al-Shabaab fighters targeted police officers in neighbouring Kenya, in yet another coordinated raid by the group, which is trying to destabilise security operations within the Horn of Africa region.

According to reports, at least eight police officers were injured in northeastern Kenya after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off in Garissa, with experts questioning the unprecedented withdrawal of National Police Reservists from the area.

The incident occurred in Banane-Yumbis within Fafi Sub-County, just about 10 kilometres from the Border Patrol Unit (BPU) base in Yumbis. Officials say the convoy’s last vehicle, carrying eight officers, struck the device and overturned.

“All eight officers were rescued and are currently receiving treatment,” said Fafi Deputy County Commissioner Naftali Koojo. He confirmed that the first two vehicles in the convoy passed safely before the rear vehicle was hit.

Those injured in the unfortunate incident were treated at Hagadera Hospital, while those who suffered critical injuries were transferred to Nairobi for specialised treatment, officials said.

The incident has intensified scrutiny over a reported order for all NPRs to report to Garissa for fresh data registration, a move critics say left certain areas exposed. However, Mr Koojo denied knowledge of any such directive.

“NPRs are not stationed permanently. They move depending on need, and the area where the incident occurred is largely uninhabited,” he said.

Al-Shabaab fighters have been trying to infiltrate Kenya's porous border with Somalia, but in recent times, the security teams within the northeastern region have managed to foil several attacks. There is a heavy presence of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) within the area.

GAROWE ONLINE