Police foil Al-Shabaab's attempt to conduct Imam in Kenya's Mosque

NAIROBI, Kenya - Police in Kenya foiled an attempt by Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militants to conduct an Imam in one of the Mosques at Konton village in Wajir Sub County in the northeastern part of the Horn of Africa nation.

Reports indicate that the militants stormed the Mosque and took hostage about 40 faithful who were present. The gang ordered them out and tried to drive them into a thicket heading to the nearby Kenya-Somalia border.

According to police records, their target was the imam who doubles as a National Police Reservist who was leading the prayers then. It was in the process that gunshots were fired forcing the gang to abandon their mission and escape.

Wajir County police commander Hilary Toroitich confirmed the incident saying that no injuries were reported. “We have sent a reinforcement to help in tracking the gang,” he said.

The area has been a center of interest as gangs have in the past abducted government officials and killed them without making demands. Chief was in 2019 killed in the area after an abduction.

Al Shabaab terrorists are behind the series of incidents that have grounded operations. Three al Shabaab terrorists were on Saturday killed by a bomb they were setting up that went off accidentally at a village in Damasa, Mandera County.

Police said the incident happened in Nus Dariq village outside Damasa in Kenya. The terrorists’ bodies were discovered long after the incident had happened.

Officials at the Mandera County Government for instance in June 2021 stopped the movement of their vehicles over increasing terror-related incidents in the area. There are fears of more attacks after locals reported sighting more gunmen roaming in separate places while planning to strike.

Elsewhere in Somalia, the Somali National Army [SNA] and regional forces of Southwest State have killed several Alshabab members in planned security operations in El-Doon, Yaqle, Saydheliw, Ayroble . Asha-gabo, Magurto, and Buloburte-Jadid under Baidoa district, on Monday.

GAROWE ONLINE