Four police officers injured in Dadaab landmine explosion

By Cyrus Ombati

Garissa, Kenya: Four police officers escaped death narrowly on Monday morning after their vehicle was hit by a landmine in Dadaab refugee camp.

The officers were escorting officials of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) for an assignment when the incident occurred at Dagahaley area within Dadaab refugee camp, police said.

The police vehicle was badly damaged but reports indicate the officers sustained minor injuries.

“The officers have all survived the explosion that hit their vehicle. They were escorting some officials there when the blast happened,” said an officer in the area who asked not to be named.

In May, 2012 a similar attack killed a police officer and injured three others.

Incidents of attacks by Al Shabaab mainly targeted at security forces in the Eastern and North Eastern Provinces have been on the increase since Kenyan military forces crossed into Somalia to battle the terrorist group.

The latest landmine attacks come amid heightened security following claims insurgents threatened reprisal attacks in Kenya after the military went to Somalia to hunt the militants.

Kenya blames Al-Shabaab and their sympathizers for kidnappings, grenade attacks and fears its tourist and business economy will be destroyed if it allows the insurgents to go on unchallenged.

At least 50 security officers have been killed in dozens of attacks that have occurred in Nairobi, Mombasa, Mandera, Garissa and Wajir counties since 2011.