UPDATE 1p.m.: A police officer was killed while three others sustained injuries during the Wednesday evening attack at a police camp in Yumbis, Garissa, that was carried out by suspected Al-Shabaab militants.
North Eastern Regional Coordinator Nick Ndalama revealed that the injured officers were hospitalised in Garissa.
Speaking to the media, area residents narrated how the attackers also targeted them for allegedly sharing intelligence information with security agencies posted in the area. Consequently, the armed gunmen torched several houses as they rampaged through the area.
Suspected Al-Shabaab militants launched an attack on the Yumbis Rural Border Patrol Unit (RBPU) in Garissa county on Wednesday evening, July 22.
According to initial reports, explosions were reportedly heard at the police post as the militants stormed the camp.
North Eastern Regional Commander Rono Bunei, while speaking to the media confirmed the incident, adding that Kenya's security forces had engaged the unidentified enemy.
The armed militants are believed to have kickstarted the raid by hurling several hand-held explosives into the police camp.
It is not clear if there were any casualties or damages, with Bunei expected to issue a comprehensive statement later on.
Additional air support from the recently commissioned Modika Barracks were deployed to the area in response to the attack.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, on December 13, 2019, presided over the inauguration ceremony of Modika Barracks in Garrisa County and consecutively launched a Kenya Army Book dubbed ‘The Soldier’s Legacy.’
The military station serves as the headquarters of the 6th Brigade, tasked with offering rapid response to any combat situation within the high-risk Somali border area.
In June 2019, three al Shabaab militants were killed after they staged an attack at the same Yumbis police post.
During last year's attack, the militants blew up a mobile phone mast, cutting off communication in the area, before launching thier raid in the area.
Al-Shabaab has long posed a significant terrorist threat in areas along Kenya's border with Somalia.
