Al shabaab attack botched in Lamu

Suspected Al Shabaab militants were on Saturday repulsed by security agencies in a botched attack on Pandanguo village, Lamu county.

The militants held the village ransom in a fiery siege that lasted for about seven hours from about 10pm to 3.30am, with a one farmer reportedly being held hostage by the militants before being freed.

Security officers however responded promptly on the attack and managed to successfully repulse a group of at least 60 heavily armed militants.

Villagers reported that the militants attempted to gain entry into the village but gunshots from the NPR officers stationed in the village attracted security officers in nearby camps including the General Service Unit,Kenya Defence Force and the Anti-Terror Police Unit.

 Lamu county commissioner Irungu Macharia told journalists that the situation has since been put under control.

He urged locals to be vigilant at all times and report any suspicious persons that could pose a threat to security.

There is tension in the village with locals preparing to flee.

The terror group has intensified attacks in the region with police and other security officers being on high alert to avoid loss of lives and destruction of property.