Lamu: 2 people killed, several houses torched in suspected Alshabab attack

Two people have been killed and several houses torched in Pandanguo and Witu villages, Lamu county.

The suspected Al Shabab militants carried out the attacks on Sunday at 8 pm; however, the more than 200 heavily armed militants were repulsed by Kenya Police Reservists after a heavy gunfight.

According to police, the militants are believed to have escaped into the vast Boni forest, but a multi-agency security team has been deployed in the area.

Coast regional commissioner John Elungata said a multi-agency team comprising officers drawn from the Kenya defense forces are pursuing the attackers.

“We call on locals to cooperate with security apparatus deployed in the area. The situation is calm. We have officers on the ground and let residents work closely with our officer on the ground in the ongoing investigations as we continue to crack down on the suspects,” he said.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the militants are believed to have been targeting to steal weapons from the KPS officers.

However, they were overpowered by the officers, who fought back the militants before backup arrived from KDF officers.

The attack comes barely a week after suspected Alshabaab militants attacked a police vehicle between Hayley Lapsset camp and Garissa.

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