Six officers injured as police vehicle hit by IED in suspected Al-Shabaab attack

According to a police report under OB NO. 9/13/03/2026, the attack occurred at about 6.30 am along the Elwak–Wargadud Road as officers from Elwak Police Station were travelling to Udole Pit on a relief mission.

The officers were aboard a police Land Cruiser, driven by Police Constable Hillary Kiplagat, when the vehicle was hit by a directional IED while overtaking a passenger bus heading towards Mandera. 

Police indicated that the explosion was followed by an ambush from militants suspected to be linked to Al-Shabaab. 

The blast damaged the police vehicle, shattering its windscreen, breaking side mirrors and damaging the doors. Two rear windows of the passenger bus were also shattered in the explosion.

The bus driver reportedly sped away from the scene without stopping.

Those injured in the attack included Corporal Kipkurui Kosgei, who sustained bruises on the left hand and complained of general body pain, and driver PC Hillary Kiplagat, who also suffered bruises and body pain.

Three National Police Reservists, Jibril Aliow Omar, Abdi Ali Issack and Hussein Issack Mohamed, were also injured. Omar suffered bruises on both hands and the abdomen, Issack sustained a cut above the left eye and body pain, while Mohamed suffered a cut above the left eye and injuries to the abdomen and leg.

Another officer, Ali Noor Issack Sheikh, sustained an injury to the right hand and complained of back pain.

The remaining officers, who were part of a 15-member team travelling in the vehicle, were accounted for and reported to be in stable condition.

Security teams later visited the scene, including officers from the Kenya Defence Forces, who launched operations in pursuit of the attackers.