Security officers in Mandera County on Wednesday evening thwarted an attempted attack by suspected Al-Shabaab militants targeting a police camp in Lafey Sub-County.
The attack occurred shortly after 7:00 p.m. at the Jabi Quick Response Unit (QRU) Camp, where officers engaged the assailants in a fierce gun battle that ultimately forced them to retreat.
According to preliminary security reports, about ten heavily armed militants approached the camp from the north-eastern side before launching the assault. The attackers reportedly opened fire from roughly 600 metres away in what authorities believe was an attempt to breach the camp’s defences and overrun the facility.
Officers stationed at the camp responded swiftly, returning fire and preventing the militants from advancing further. The exchange of gunfire lasted several minutes, with residents in nearby villages reporting hearing sustained bursts of gunfire throughout the confrontation.
The incident triggered fear among local communities and pastoralists living near the area, many of whom feared the attack could spread beyond the security installation.
Authorities have not reported any casualties among the security personnel, while details regarding injuries or deaths on the attackers’ side remain unknown.
The attempted raid highlights the continued threat posed by Al-Shabaab militants in Kenya’s border regions despite ongoing security operations aimed at curbing cross-border incursions. Security agencies have since intensified surveillance in the area and launched efforts to track the attackers’ movements.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing as authorities seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attempted assault and identify those involved.