Three female
terrorists clad in hijabs stormed Mombasa’s Central Police Station on Sunday
morning, September 11th and launched a physical attack on the officers using
knives.
Mombasa
County Commander Peterson Maelo said the three women, who walked into the
station pretending to report a stolen phone, brandished knives after they were
barred from accessing the cells with one throwing a petrol bomb in an attempt
to burn down the station.
Maelo said one of them stabbed the officer
manning the report desk forcing his colleagues to shoot them.Two died instantly
while one was shot as she attempted to escape.
This sparked
a police operation with officers from paramilitary General Service Unit being
deployed at the station. Gun shots and an explosion were also heard in the
premises, located at the center of the city, which was immediately cordoned
off.
Two police
officers were rushed to hospital with injuries following the attack.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the attackers were attempting to free some
prisoners held at the police station. Maelo, however, said the motive of the
attack was not yet known and investigations were underway.
Pictures
showed police officers on window of the first floor of the station while
jumping off from the fire that had been started. Top politicians led by Mombasa
Governor Hassan Ali Joho visited the scene and complimented police for their
swift action.
"It is
unfortunate that we wake up to this incident, especially on a day when Hajj is
being conducted. It is a dark day in Mombasa,”"said Joho who termed the
incident a ‘heinous crime’. I urge the security agencies to publish the names
and pictures of the attackers so that we investigate their background and help
curb such incidents in the future,"
said Joho.
He urged the residents to stay calm as
security agencies were on high alert on all public places.
County
Commissioner Evans Achoki noted that there was a likely change of tactic by
terror groups as it has not been usual for women to launch terror attacks.
Police spokesman Charles Owino says two of the women have been identified as
Kenyans. One had a suicide vest that did not explode. Three female accomplices
have been arrested from their Kibokoni residence in Mombasa.
More
photos...
Source: The
Star Kenya/Standard Media Kenya
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