Dawn Ambush by Al Shabaab Militants Leaves Five Police Officers Dead

At least five police officers have been confirmed dead following a suspected Al Shabaab Friday dawn attack on two camps in the Fino area in Mandera County.

Speaking to the press, Lafey Deputy County Commissioner Eric Oronyi said the militants targeted Administration Police (AP) and reservists' camps in the region.

The police boss said the assailants first destroyed Safaricom mast in Lafey shopping centre to halt communication between the security officers and their bosses, before ambushing the camps.

“There was an attack on the two security camps at Fino and, as we speak, five officers are dead and three others injured,” he said.

“We suspect they divided themselves into three groups that aimed at AP and Kenya Police camps, and the communication mast,” Oronyi said.

“The communication mast (that was) being guarded by the police reservists was bombed and at the moment there is no (mobile phone) communication in  Fino,” he said.

County Administration Police Commander Suleiman Rashid said more security men had been deployed to the scene.

"Until our officers get to the scene in can't tell what happened there," he said.

The about 70 and 100 militants are said to have arrived on foot and escaped to unknown direction after the attack. Officers who sustained injuries have been airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment.