Two police officers killed as city put on red alert

Wreckage of the patrol car that hit an IED while on its way to Kotulo from Khorof Harar in Wajir County. [Courtesy]

Two police officers were killed and another six injured when their vehicle ran over an explosive in Wajir on Friday.

Survivors were airlifted to Nairobi yesterday for treatment. Anti-terror police were put on high alert in Nairobi and Mombasa over intelligence reports of an impeding terror attack.

The warning came as upto 90 people were reported dead in Somalia following a car bomb attack in the capital, Mogadishu.

No group has claimed responsibility for the bomb attack, BBC reported yesterday.

Suspected Al Shabab members are said to have been targeting hotels during the festive season.

A report from ATPU chief John Gachomo said police officers from the tactical unit had been deployed to conduct surveillance on facilities around the city.

The under-cover officers are mandated to inspect the security preparedness of the hotels said to be a target of the terrorist.

Much of the intelligence reports have been provided by foreign governments.

Highly placed sources within the security circles yesterday told Sunday Standard plans had been made to have armed officers provide security to hotels.

“The reports have been available to us since the start of December. We are well-positioned to deal with the threats,“ said an officer.

Armed GSU officers have also been deployed to patrol areas along the hotels where the police believe the attackers are planning to harm people.

In the Wajir attack, the police vehicle that the officers were traveling in was extensively damaged by the improvised explosive device (IED).

Deputy Inspector General Noor Gabow said the injured officers are out of danger.

Reports said the AP Special Service officers ran into the IED at Kotulo area at around 4pm on Friday.