Lamu, August 22, 2023 - In a tragic incident that unfolded on Tuesday morning, suspected al Shabaab militants claimed the lives of two individuals in a ruthless assault that targeted a lorry on the Witu-Lamu-Garsen road in the Lango la Simba area. The attack also resulted in the torching of several houses, adding to the wave of terror that has swept through the region.
Lamu West Deputy County Commissioner, Gabriel Kioni, confirmed the harrowing incident, revealing that the victims were a lorry driver and his co-driver. The heavily armed attackers ambushed the vehicle between the hours of 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM, with lethal precision.
"The vehicle was waylaid by the heavily armed militants between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM," Kioni reported somberly. He further stated, "The gang escaped soon after the incident and efforts to address the menace are ongoing."
In addition to the loss of lives, the assailants perpetrated an act of destruction by setting fire to at least ten houses in Salama Village. The reign of terror extended late into the previous night, as over 30 heavily armed terrorists conducted a raid on the village between 8:30 PM and 11:00 PM on August 21.
Witnesses and law enforcement officials recounted the horrifying sequence of events, indicating that the militants forcibly entered the village, stealing valuable possessions such as nine goats, TV sets, solar panels, and lamps before making their escape into the nearby forest.
This attack marks another painful chapter in the ongoing struggle against the al Shabaab threat in the region. Notably, Salama Village had already endured the brutal impact of terrorism just a few months ago when suspected militants raided the area in June, claiming five lives and incinerating six houses.
Police sources reported that the two victims in this recent incident were fatally shot in the Nyongoro area along the Witu-Lamu highway. The gang had forcibly halted vehicles along this stretch and proceeded to launch attacks on their occupants. Subsequent police intervention led to the dispersal of the attackers.
As the militants attempted to breach the defenses of the Pandanguo GSU camp, they were met with fierce resistance and were ultimately repulsed.
The community in Lamu finds itself grappling with the aftermath of this harrowing event, as authorities work tirelessly to contain the threat and restore a sense of security to the region. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing struggle against extremism and the profound impact it has on the lives of those affected.