By Bonface Mulyungi
Security forces in Mandera County are on high alert following a daring attack on a police camp by suspected Al-Shabaab militants.
The attack occurred at approximately 5:10 PM on Friday at the Fino Special Operations Group – or SOG – Camp in Lafey.
According to police records from Lafey Police Station, a group of roughly 8-10 heavily armed militants approached the camp from the eastern side. The attackers launched three Rocket-Propelled Grenades. One RPG struck the camp directly, destroying a toilet structure, while the other two landed in nearby Fino Centre.
The explosive attack was accompanied by a heavy barrage of PKM machine gun and AK-47 gunfire, sparking a fierce firefight that lasted for over 30 minutes.
One police officer sustained a knee injury during the engagement. Two civilians at the trade centre were also caught in the crossfire: 18-year-old Umer Dakane Afey suffered a minor leg injury, and 25-year-old Maulid Farah Hussein sustained minor head injuries.
Officers at the camp responded swiftly, successfully repulsing the militants and securing the area. Heavy clearance patrols led by multi-agency forces are currently underway across Lafey Sub-County to track down the fleeing attackers.
