DIG Lagat calls for shared intelligence to neutralize al shabaab threat

Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif with top security officials in his office.

National Police Service Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat has reiterated the importance of residents in Mandera sharing intelligence with the relevant authorities that will help in neutralizing the activities of the al Shabaab militia.

Lagat said the war against terror cannot be won by the security agencies alone.

Mandera has had its fair share of insecurity challenges orchestrated by the al-Shabaab militants and which have resulted in several deaths.

He who spoke in Mandera when he led a high-level multi-agency security assessment team in the border County.

Lagat who was accompanied by top security officials, including the Deputy Inspector General for Administration Police, Gilbert Masengeli, highlighted the importance of cooperation between the security agencies and the community.

“In order to wage a successful war against terrorism and violent extremism, we must bring everyone on board. I want to call on residents to work closely with the security apparatus by providing timely and actionable information that can help in deterring would-be threats,” Lagat said.

Lagat said the government will deal ruthlessly with any individual involved in funding, aiding, or engaging in terror activities and inter-clan conflicts.

He said the two activities have compromised the county's security, and emphasised on the need for collective efforts between security agencies and the community to address the issue.

“Inter-clan clashes and terror activities remain a major security concern in this region. We must jointly address these critical issues,” Lagat said during a press briefing in Mandera town.

Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif with top security officials in his office.

“We must identify the criminals amidst us that are compromising security; they must be arrested and taken to court to face justice," he said.

The DIG said that the government plans to boost the morale of officers serving in the region through welfare and mental health support.

Lagat praised the coordination and mutual working relationship among various security agencies serving Mandera County, emphasising the need for continued collaboration to improve security.

The team also paid a courtesy call on Governor Mohamed Khalif, where they discussed key security matters, including intercommunal conflict, vandalism of communication infrastructure, and threats posed by improvised explosive devices(IEDs) on major roads.

Both Lagat and Masengeli assured the governor that the National Police Service was committed to addressing the challenges.

They also pledged to increase officer deployments, strengthen operational support, and enhance security presence in vulnerable areas.

The team also visited the Mandera county police headquarters, where they held a security briefing with senior officials on regional threats, particularly cross-border insecurity along the Kenya-Somali border and terrorism threats from Al Shabaab, before proceeding to Wajir county for a meeting with the county security team.