Government extends its security operation in Boni Forest. [Photo: the-star.co.ke]
The government has extended its security operation in Boni Forest for an unspecified period in Garissa, Lamu and Tana River counties.
Director of the Boni Enclave campaign Joseph Kanyiri said Al-Shabaab still remains a threat in the country hence the need to maintain vigilance.
The Boni forest security operation was launched in a bid to flush out Al-Shabaab terrorists who have been hiding in the forest.
Mr Kanyiri said the hideouts were being used by the militants to launch attacks in the country adding that the operation to hunt them down is still ongoing.
He added that the attacks have negatively affected the economy and pointed to the possibility that the attackers could have had help from the locals.
“The country is leaving nothing to chance as it seeks to exploit all its options in sealing loopholes used by the militants to launch attacks in Kenya. Termination of the programme may occasion retaliatory attacks from the Militia group,” he said.
The director added that plans are in place to integrate civil rights groups, Non-Governmental Organizations, government institutions, county governments, political leaders and local residents to aid in infiltrating the Rag Tag Al- Shabaab militia.
Herders living in the forest were ordered to leave and those who will ignore the warnings would be treated as terrorists.