By Mohamed Siyad - Reporter
January 2 2025 - Yesterday at approximately 11:00 a.m., suspected Al-Shabaab militants hijacked a Diff Police Station motor vehicle, leaving a police officer seriously injured in an armed attack in Diff Township, Wajir County.
The officer, who was driving a police vehicle attached to the Office of the Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Diff, was attacked at around midday while manoeuvring within the township.
According to a police report, the driver had stopped briefly in the town centre for breakfast when the assailants struck. He was attacked at close range and shot, sustaining a serious gunshot wound to the jaw, with the bullet penetrating through the left side.
The injured officer was rushed to a military clinic in Diff, where he is receiving emergency treatment. He is expected to be transferred to another medical facility for specialised care. His condition is reported to be critical.
Security agencies have since launched a multi-agency operation to trace the stolen government vehicle and pursue the attackers, who reportedly escaped using the Hambalash route. Roadblocks have been mounted, and patrols intensified along key exit routes as security teams comb the area.
Diff Township and surrounding parts of Wajir County remain classified as high-risk areas due to their proximity to the Kenya–Somalia border and past incidents linked to militant activity. Authorities say such attacks underline the continued security challenges facing the region.
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Following the incident, security commanders issued an alert calling for reduced non-essential vehicle movements and strict adherence to escort procedures, particularly in vulnerable areas. Officers have also been cautioned against operating alone while on duty.
Residents have been urged to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies, and report any suspicious movements or abandoned vehicles to the nearest police station.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, and more details will be released as the situation develops.
