Five Quarry Workers Killed in Suspected Al-Shabaab Attack in Mandera
Mandera, Kenya – April 30, 2025: At least five quarry workers were killed and two others wounded in a suspected Al-Shabaab attack in Mandera County, near the Kenya-Somalia border. The assault occurred early Tuesday morning around 6 a.m. in Bor Abor village, as armed assailants ambushed a minibus carrying the workers, according to local police reports.
Authorities indicated that approximately ten armed men stopped the vehicle and ordered the workers to disembark. Eyewitnesses say the militants demanded mobile phones and identification cards before shooting several of the victims while they lay on the ground. Thirteen other workers managed to flee into nearby bushes and were later rescued by security personnel. Police noted footprints leading toward the Somalia border, a known sanctuary for the jihadist group.
Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group, has frequently targeted northeastern Kenya, particularly cross-border areas like Mandera. Security forces have stepped up patrols in the region and are investigating the attack. This incident highlights the continued threat posed by cross-border militancy and the need for strict adherence to safety protocols for workers in vulnerable areas. Local authorities are coordinating with families of the deceased and ensuring that the victims receive proper burial arrangements.