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Multi-agency security team averts al Shabaab attack on Lamu village

Monday, January 20th, 2020 00:00 | By

Tension is high in Pandanguo village in Witu, Lamu county, after an attempted attack by suspected al Shabaab militants was repulsed by security officers on Saturday night.

Lamu County Commissioner Irungu Macharia said a group of armed militants engaged security officers in a gunfight at the village, but the latter overpowered the assailants.

He said the exchange of fire lasted for about five hours from around 10.30pm on Saturday.

“National Police Reservists officers in the village claimed to have spotted suspicious people in a nearby bush, forcing them to shoot randomly,” said Macharia.

“A multi-agency security team was able to coordinate a counter attack plan that resulted in the militants being repulsed into the Boni Forest just before dawn.”

Speaking to People Daily on phone Macharia added: “Kenya Defence Forces KDF and GSU officers responded immediately and combed the area.

So far, the area is quiet and there is no cause for alarm. I urge Pandanguo residents not to leave their homes since their security is guaranteed”.

His remarks came after some residents started fleeing the village for fear of attack.

They called on the government to intensity security patrols in the area, saying the assailants strike when security officers retreat in their camps.

Pandanguo village elder Dan Golja said a group of heavily-armed militants tried to force their way into the village, where they earlier held a farmer hostage and interrogated him.

“They interrogated him for more than 20 minutes, asking him about the security status in our area, including how many police and military camps are there,” he said.

Tension is high in Pandanguo village in Witu, Lamu county, after an attempted attack by suspected al Shabaab militants was repulsed by security officers on Saturday night.

Lamu County Commissioner Irungu Macharia said a group of armed militants engaged security officers in a gunfight at the village, but the latter overpowered the assailants.

He said the exchange of fire lasted for about five hours from around 10.30pm on Saturday.

“National Police Reservists officers in the village claimed to have spotted suspicious people in a nearby bush, forcing them to shoot randomly,” said Macharia.

“A multi-agency security team was able to coordinate a counter attack plan that resulted in the militants being repulsed into the Boni Forest just before dawn.”

Speaking to People Daily on phone Macharia added: “Kenya Defence Forces KDF and GSU officers responded immediately and combed the area.

So far, the area is quiet and there is no cause for alarm. I urge Pandanguo residents not to leave their homes since their security is guaranteed”.

His remarks came after some residents started fleeing the village for fear of attack.

They called on the government to intensity security patrols in the area, saying the assailants strike when security officers retreat in their camps.

Pandanguo village elder Dan Golja said a group of heavily-armed militants tried to force their way into the village, where they earlier held a farmer hostage and interrogated him.

“They interrogated him for more than 20 minutes, asking him about the security status in our area, including how many police and military camps are there,” he said.

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