10 Killed in Series of Attacks by Al Shabaab

Nine police officers and a civilian have been confirmed dead after vehicles they were traveling in ran over explosive devices in separate terror incidents in Lamu County on Wednesday.

The first explosion is believed to have happened around 8.30am, between Baure and Milimani area in Lamu, killing all seven police officers who boarded an armored personnel carrier and the civilian passenger.

The officers from the Rural Border Patrol Unit of the Administration Police were headed to the border using the Kiunga-Hindi Road.

Military reinforcements were dispatched to the scene, but a vehicle they were traveling hit an explosive, killing two Kenya Defense Forces soldiers and injuring another.

Later at around 3pm Wednesday, another explosive went off between Kiunga and Ishakani, with initial investigations indicated that the third explosion was aimed at a military lorry but went off just before the vehicle arrived at the spot.

Military personnel on board escaped and managed to reach their destination.

The incidents come days after similar other attacks in neighboring Garissa County and Mandera killed 20 people, including 11 police officers.

The Head of the multi-agency Operation Linda Boni, James ole Sereini confirmed the first explosion, saying it happened on Kiunga-Hindi Road.

“At about 8.30am there was a security incident between Baure and Milimani. A police vehicle ran over an IED. Several officers were injured. We have sent KDF and police reinforcement to the area to pursue the attackers. We will provide more information once we get full details of the incidents,” he said.

The region has been labeled an operational area, meaning it has remained under intense security activities since the government launched Operation Linda Boni Forest on September, 15, 2015.