Tension in Boni Forest as Al-Shabaab Insurgents Raid Mangai Village
Tension remains high in Mangai, a remote village in Boni Forest, Lamu County, after more than 150 heavily armed Al-Shabaab militants stormed the area, preached radicalized teachings to the locals, and distributed date fruits before retreating into the forest.
The shocking incident, which took place on Saturday evening around 6 PM, occurred as residents—predominantly Muslim—were preparing for evening prayers and breaking their fast. According to a police report, the militants split into two groups: one monitoring the local Border Patrol Unit (BPU) camp, while the other engaged directly with villagers, seeking out local chiefs and National Police Reservists (NPR) officers before delivering their ideological lecture.
Security Alert Raised
An area administrator quickly alerted the Mangai security camp about the ambush, prompting an immediate security response. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but fear has gripped residents, who remain uncertain about their safety following the brazen incursion.
Lamu County Commissioner Wesley Koech confirmed the incident, assuring the public that security measures have been intensified and that Kenyan forces are pursuing the attackers.
“First, there is no death or injury reported in the Saturday evening raid by suspected Al-Shabaab terrorists in Mangai Village. They only ambushed locals, preached to them, and distributed dates before leaving. We’re monitoring the situation, and everything is under control. There is no cause for worry,” Koech stated.
A Troubled History of Terrorism
Lamu County has long been a hotspot for Al-Shabaab attacks, with militants using Boni Forest as a hideout and staging ground for their operations. One of the deadliest attacks occurred on June 15, 2014, in Mpeketoni and Kibaoni, where over 90 people were killed, and properties worth millions of shillings were destroyed.
Between 2023 and early 2024, Al-Shabaab insurgents carried out a series of attacks in villages including Juhudi, Widho, Salama, Mashogoni, Marafa, Pandanguo, and Witu, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 residents.
To combat the persistent threat, the Kenyan government launched Operation Linda Boni in September 2015, a multi-agency security operation aimed at flushing out militants from the dense forest. While the operation has significantly reduced terror incidents, sporadic attacks like the recent Mangai raid indicate that the insurgency remains a serious concern.
Call for Vigilance and Cooperation
Authorities have urged local communities to collaborate with security forces by providing intelligence on suspicious activities to help curb the threat posed by Al-Shabaab.
“The fight against terror is a collective responsibility. We encourage the public to report any strange movements or individuals in their areas. The government is committed to ensuring the safety of all Kenyans,” Koech emphasized.
As security operations intensify in Boni Forest, residents of Mangai and its surroundings remain on high alert, hoping for lasting peace and an end to the insurgency that has plagued their region for years.
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Tension in Boni Forest as Al-Shabaab Insurgents Raid Mangai Village