Several Kenyan security officers killed in al Shabaab attack, first GSU responders ambushed

tuko.co.ke

Jan 3, 2018 7:09 AM

- Several security officers patrolling the notorious Elwak-Kotulo road in Mandera were killed by al Shabaab militants

- A unit of GSU officers responding to the attack was also ambushed and their truck burnt

- Police scrambled another team to respond to the two attacks

- The attack came days after KDF killed several militants who attacked Ijara Police Camp

Several Kenyan security officers lost their lives on Tuesday, January 2, following an al Shabaab attack on the Elwak-Kotulo road in Mandera county.

The attack took place as officers, including reservists, regular police and administration police, patrolled the dangerous stretch before they were ambushed by militants.

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According to a report by the Daily Nation on Wednesday, January 3, three police reservists and two administration police were killed in the initial attack and the militants ambushed first respondents to the scene.

Al Shabaab militants in Somalia. Photo: Radio Shabelle

Apparently, a contingent of General Service Unit personnel who responded to the attack were ambushed and their truck burnt by the militants.

This was confirmed by Mandera South Deputy County Commissioner Daniel Bundotich. He added that a second team was dispatched to the scene of the two attacks.

According to prior TUKO.co.ke reports, this attack came days after the Kenya Defense Forces killed five al Shabaab militants who were among a group of attackers on the Ijara Police camp.

A contingent of GSU officers who were first to respond to the scene were also ambushed by the militants. Photo: Capital FM

The attack took place on Sunday, December 31, and police recovered stolen motorcycles and weapons from the militants.

Several militants fled after sustaining injuries from a shootout with the military.