At least five people have been confirmed dead following an attack by suspected Al Shabaab militants in Mandera County.
The incident occurred on the morning of Tuesday, April 29, in Bur Abor village and claimed the lives of five individuals, all reportedly non-locals working at a local quarry. Two others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment.
According to eyewitness accounts and initial investigations, the attackers ambushed the workers at their site, catching them off guard.
The assault has triggered heightened fear and anxiety in the village, renewing concerns over rising insecurity in the Khalalio-Hareeri region.
Local authorities were promptly informed, and investigations are currently underway.
Al Shabaab militants, who operate from across the border in Somalia, have frequently targeted Kenya’s northeastern counties, striking both military installations and civilian populations.
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Suspected Al Shabaab attacks leave 7 dead
This latest incident comes barely a month after another attack attributed to the group in Garissa County, where six police officers were killed during an early morning ambush on a National Police Reservist (NPR) camp on Sunday, March 23.
Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo, speaking to journalists at the time, said the officers were attacked at around 5:30 AM while preparing for morning prayers.
Four additional officers sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.
The targeted camp housed NPR officers and local volunteers who support the National Police Service in safeguarding remote regions.
Hours after the killing of six police officers in Garissa, suspected Al Shabaab militants struck again, killing a senior National Police Reservist (NPR) officer in Mandera, raising the death toll to seven.
Also Read: Deaths Reported as Al Shabaab Terrorists Attack Kenyan Police Camp
Governor’s security officer killed
The slain officer was identified as Abidkar Ibrahim, the head of NPR attached to the office of Mandera Governor Mohamed Aden. According to Governor Aden, Ibrahim was killed at his home on the morning of Monday, March 24.
Governor Aden also criticised security agencies, stating that the murder could have been prevented if authorities had acted on prior intelligence received on March 21, 2025.
According to him, intelligence reports had warned of a possible attack on NPR offices, but no preventive measures were taken.
“He has been an important person when it comes to managing security, and they have targeted him as a person. Unfortunately, they killed him this morning at his house,” Governor Aden said.
“On Saturday, information was shared across all the fighting units within Mandera and even the security managers in Nairobi. They were told that a number of Al Shabaab had crossed into Kenya and had been moving around.”
The Governor further issued a stern rebuke to security forces, urging them to take a proactive stance in protecting Kenyans rather than merely reacting to attacks.
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