Lamu will soon be declared a terrorist-free zone following the success of Operation Linda Boni, seven months after it began, director of operation James ole Serian has said.
The main objective of the operation launched in September last year was to hunt down al Shabaab militants said to be hiding in Boni Forest in Lamu. The militants were believed to retreat to the forest after carrying out attacks in Lamu and Tana River counties. The operation was launched by Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery. It is currently being conducted by the Kenya Defence Forces and the RDU, Anti-Terror Police Unit, Kenya Forest Service and the Police Service.
Speaking to the Star yesterday, Serian attributed the massive success of the operation to the good working relationship between the security agencies conducting the operation and the general public. He said an undisclosed number of terror suspects have been arrested in various parts of
Lamu, Garsen, Boni, Kibaoni and Bargoni. Serian said most of the suspects have been charged while others will be prosecuted soon.
He said the national government has set up nine new police stations in the operation zones and adequate personnel had been posted to ensure tranquility and the success of the operation. Serian said several old police stations have been reinforced with additional security. “At this point and time we can confidently state that the Linda Boni Operation is a success. This is the seventh month of operation and so far we have made massive strides. We have nine police posts erected here with enough personnel. The old police stations have been reinforced,” he said.
Serian said additional security patrols are being mounted by Kenyan forces on land and at sea. He said the government has posted deputy county commissioners to Ijara, Hulugho and various parts of Lamu East and Lamu West subcounties. Serian said 12 assistant county commissioners had also been posted to all vacant posts in the operation area.
Serian said the operation bosses are working closely with the local political leadership, the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, teachers and the general public, especially the Boni natives, to ensure success. He said the operation will continue indefinitely until security is restored. It was initially planned to last only three months.
“All our forces are holding aggressive patrols in the operation area during Easter holidays. All security officers shall remain on duty both during Easter and after. The same applies during the April holidays. We thank the public in Lamu,Tana River and Garissa for the cooperation and useful information they give the security agencies,” Serian said.
The operation was launched after it became clear that al Shabaab were targeting military and police vehicles and civilians in Lamu and neighbouring Garissa and Tana River counties.