IED Blast and Ambush Rock Mandera Road, Six Officers Injured in Morning Attack

Six police officers were injured after a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) detonated under a police vehicle in Mandera County early Friday morning. The incident occurred at around 6.30am along the Elwak-Wargadud road.

Police said the officers were travelling from Elwak Police Station to Udole Pit on a relief assignment. They were part of a 15-member security team using a police Land Cruiser.

The vehicle was being driven by Police Constable Hillary Kiplagat when the explosion occurred. Investigators believe the device had been planted along the roadside and was triggered as the vehicle overtook a passenger bus heading toward Mandera.

The blast struck the Land Cruiser, sending debris flying and causing serious damage to the vehicle. The windscreen was shattered, doors were dented and side mirrors were torn off by the force of the explosion.

Two windows at the rear of the passenger bus were also broken during the blast. Witnesses said the bus driver immediately accelerated and left the area.

Police reports indicate that the explosion was followed by a suspected ambush from militants believed to be linked to Al-Shabaab. Officers inside the vehicle reacted quickly as the attack unfolded along the remote road.

Several officers suffered injuries during the incident. Corporal Kipkurui Kosgei sustained bruises on his left hand and later complained of pain across his body. The driver, PC Hillary Kiplagat, also suffered bruising and general body pain after the blast.

Three National Police Reservists were among those hurt. Jibril Aliow Omar sustained bruises on both hands and the abdomen. Abdi Ali Issack was cut above his left eye and also reported body pain. Hussein Issack Mohamed suffered a similar injury above the eye and injuries to his leg and abdomen.

Another officer, Ali Noor Issack Sheikh, sustained an injury to his right hand and complained of back pain.Authorities said the rest of the officers travelling in the vehicle were accounted for and were safe.

Security teams later moved to the scene to assess the situation and secure the area. Officers from the Kenya Defence Forces joined the operation and launched a search for the attackers.

The incident once again highlights the persistent security risks faced by officers operating near the Kenya–Somalia border.