A bus was attacked by suspected al-Shabab militants in the coastal county of Lamu, Kenya, on Jan. 2, 2019. (Xinhua/Chris Mgidu)
Kenyan police have launched a major manhunt for suspected al-Shabab militants who ambushed a commuter bus in the coastal region of Lamu, killing at least 3 people on Thursday.
LAMU, Kenya, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan police have launched a major manhunt for suspected al-Shabab militants who ambushed a commuter bus in the coastal county of Lamu on Thursday, killing at least three people and injured an unknown number of others.
Perminus Kioi, Lamu county police commander, said gunmen attacked Mombasa Raha Bus at midday at Nyongoro area near Witu town in Lamu County.
"The bullets landed on the right front wheel damaging it and other bullets landing on both sides of the bus body, three men were shot at close range, killing them instantly. One man was injured on the arm and one on the head, they have been rushed to Garsen and Witu dispensaries respectively," Kioi said.
He said other passengers were safely evacuated by security units. The scene and the bus have been secured as security officers launch manhunt for the suspects believed to have fled to vast Boni forest which they use as their hideout.
The police commander said the Mombasa Raha bus left the coastal city of Mombasa early Thursday and the driver of the bus defied orders to stop, prompting the gunmen to shoot its tires.
Witnesses said a group of more than 20 militants emerged from the forest and flagged down the bus to stop.
The right front wheel of the bus was damaged by the bullets which landing on both sides of the bus body in the coastal county of Lamu, Kenya, on Jan. 2, 2019. (Xinhua/Chris Mgidu)
"However, the driver who suspected they could be terrorists sped past them forcing the attackers to spray the bus with bullets," said a witness who refused to be identified.
He said the attackers then fled into the forest shortly after. "There is a lot of gunfire in the area and a police officer was shot dead inside a vehicle that had escorted the passenger buses," he added.
Kioi confirmed the bus conductor died on the spot from gunshot wounds.
"We shall provide more information once investigations and rescue operations are over," said the police commander, noting that security officers are currently in hot pursuit of the attackers.
"A multiagency team (comprising police and soldiers) has been dispersed in the area, as we pursue the militants who are suspected to have gone into hiding in the vast Boni forest", he said.
Nyongoro is among the areas listed as terror-prone by security officers in the region. Transport on the road has been halted and security officers are re-directing all public service vehicles back as they carry out investigations.
The militant group is believed to have fighters operating in the area's forest that has poor communication networks and terrains slowing down police operations.
The al-Shabab group has been blamed for attacks in the coastal region, including the attack in 2014 in Mpeketoni where more than 100 people were killed. ■
