At least 20 Al-Shabaab militants were killed after an exchange of heavy gunfire with security officers at Ogorwen Location in Mandera County, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.
In a statement, the National Police Service (NPS) said the incident followed an ambush on its Special Operations Group (SOG) team patrolling the area.
Eight police officers were injured in the attack.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the resulting heavy gunfire exchange between the officers who were on patrol, and the militants, left twenty militants fatally injured and eight NPS Officers injured,” NPS said.
During the operation police also recovered assorted weapons from the militia group.
“As a Service, we commend our Officers for their dedication to duty, and reiterate our commitment to enhancing national security,” NPS added.
SUSPECTED TERRORIST ATTACK IN MANDERA COUNTY.
Police in Mandera are investigating a suspected Al Shabaab terrorist attack following an ambush on our
Special Operations Group (SOG) team on July 5, 2023, at Ogorwen Location within Mandera County. pic.twitter.com/l3eAi14sjd
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) July 6, 2023
The attack comes a month after seven police officers were injured in a suspected Al-Shabaab attack in Mandera South.
The officers were injured after an armoured vehicle they were travelling in was hit with an Improvised Explosive Device planted on Alungu-Elwak road.
The officers were travelling from Alungu to Eklwak for refuelling at the time of the attack.