Wreckage of an armoured personnel carrier that ran over an improvised
explosive device planted by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Lamu,
Kenya on May 31, 2017. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Police in Kenya on Wednesday morning battled suspected
Al-Shabaab militants who razed the Pandanguo Police Post in Lamu West at
the Coast.
The attackers, who struck at 5am (+3GMT), also comm
andeered the officers’ vehicle and destroyed a communication mast.
The fighting was still raging by 10am.
"We
have enough officers on the ground fighting the attackers, whom we
suspect are Al-Shabaab militants,” a senior security officer told the Nation on condition of anonymity, because he is not authorised to brief the media.
Casualties
“The exchange of fire started since 5.45am till now. We suspect there are casualties, but I am yet to establish.”
Coast
regional police commander Akello Odhiambo confirmed the incident,
saying: "I am yet to get any details. Our team is on the ground now.”
According
to Pandanguo headman Adan Golja, gunshots were heard coming from the
police post at around 5.30am, forcing villagers to run for their lives.
Ragtag militia
The
attack comes barely two weeks after eight people, including four police
officers and four pupils, died when a Rapid Border Patrol Unit (RBPU)
vehicle they were travelling in ran over a landmine in Ota, Lamu East.
The attack was also blamed on the Somalia-based ragtag militia that is said to be based in the expansive Boni Forest.
While
the militants fighting to establish an Islamic caliphate in Somalia
have not been claiming the attacks, police have linked them to their
sympathisers.
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