Three police officers were injured on Friday night after suspected Al-Shabaab militants attacked a Special Operations Group (SOG) camp in Fino, Lafey Sub-County, Mandera County.
The attack is the latest in a series of security incidents reported in the border region, which has long faced threats from militants operating from neighboring Somalia.
According to preliminary reports, the attackers launched a coordinated assault on the camp under the cover of darkness. Security officers stationed at the facility quickly responded after coming under attack, leading to an intense exchange of fire between the two sides.
Police said the militants used Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and PKM machine guns during the raid. The heavily armed attackers reportedly attempted to breach the camp, but officers on duty managed to hold their ground and prevent them from advancing.
The firefight lasted for about 25 minutes before the attackers were forced to retreat. Security officials said the officers’ quick response played a key role in repelling the assault and preventing further casualties or damage at the camp.
Three officers sustained injuries during the confrontation and were taken to hospital for treatment. Authorities did not immediately disclose the extent of their injuries but confirmed that they were receiving medical care.
Following the attack, security agencies launched a manhunt for the militants who escaped. Additional personnel were deployed to the area as efforts to track down those responsible continued. Security operations have also been intensified around Fino and other vulnerable locations near the Kenya-Somalia border.
Fino has experienced similar attacks in the past because of its location close to the frontier. Mandera County remains one of the regions most affected by cross-border security threats linked to suspected Al-Shabaab militants.
The latest incident comes just days after another attempted attack in Lafey Sub-County.
On Wednesday evening, suspected militants targeted the Jabi Quick Response Unit (QRU) Camp shortly after 7pm. Authorities reported that about 10 armed attackers approached the camp from the north-eastern direction and opened fire from a distance of approximately 600 metres.
Police officers stationed at the camp successfully repelled the attack, preventing the militants from breaching the facility.
Security officials believe the attackers may have been testing the camp’s defenses before withdrawing.
The Special Operations Group is an elite multi-agency counter-terrorism unit operating under the Border Patrol Unit and works closely with the National Intelligence Service.
The unit plays a critical role in securing Kenya’s borders and responding to high-risk security threats, particularly in areas vulnerable to militant activity.
