Two police officers were seriously injured on Tuesday, December 14, in an ambush attack by armed gunmen suspected to be members of the Al-Shabaab militia group.
According to a statement released by the National Police Service (NPS), a team of National Police reservists were attacked by a group of about 30 militia.
The incident happened at around 7.00 pm in Olla Division, Mandera North Sub-County.
"Two National Police reservists were ambushed and seriously injured by persons suspected to be members of the Al Shabaab group," read the statement in part.
The attack happened when the team of officers was carrying out a patrol within Lanqura location.
Upon getting wind of the ambush, the police dispatched a reactive patrol team to reinforce the officers who were outnumbered by the members of the terror group.
The dispatched team countered the Al Shabaab in a heavy gunfight and warded off the militia. Security in the area was heightened, following the attack.
A multi-agency team was further deployed to track down the militants. In addition, members of the public were asked to be warier of their surrounding and report any suspicious characters.
"We have intensified patrols in the area as we call wananchi to be vigilant, and report all suspicious characters and activities in our neighbourhood," NPS wrote.
The attack came days after the police issued a security alert following a terror attack in Kampala which saw two bombs set off in Uganda's capital. The ongoing political unrest in Ethiopia was also raised security concerns prompting the police to tighten security along its borders.
On December 4, two police officers were killed on the morning of Saturday, December 4, after Al Shabaab militia opened fire on them in Bambo area of Mandera County.
