A Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Special Forces team successfully neutralised five Al Shabaab militants during an intelligence-led operation in Lacta Mangai, deep within the expansive Boni Forest, the military confirmed on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

The operation, part of the ongoing Operation Amani Boni (OAB), aimed at flushing out terrorist hideouts and restoring security in the region.

According to the KDF Strategic Communications unit, the elite team discovered a makeshift Al Shabaab camp and engaged the militants, resulting in the deaths of five terrorists. Several others sustained injuries while managing to escape.

The operation also led to the recovery of a significant cache of operational items, including AK-47 rifles, RPG launchers with warheads, ammunition, tents, solar panels, and materials commonly used for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

“Operation Amani Boni remains dedicated to ensuring that families in the area can live without fear,” the military statement said. We call on citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to support our mission.”

The operation builds on intelligence gathered over several days, mirroring earlier efforts where security personnel tracked terrorists in the forest to prevent potential large-scale attacks. In May 2025, five police officers from the Special Operations Group were killed in a similar clash in Lehelo, Lamu, after being ambushed while pursuing militants.

Several officers were injured and flown to Nairobi for specialised treatment. Police officials noted that the terrorists were hooded and heavily armed, and they often warned locals not to cooperate with government forces, heightening the risk to communities.

Boni Forest faces militants

The Boni Forest region has long been a hideout for Al Shabaab operatives, who frequently launch cross-border attacks into Kenya from Somalia. Past attacks have claimed the lives of dozens of security personnel and civilians, including the devastating Mpeketoni and Kibaoni strikes in 2014. Multi-agency operations, including Operation Linda Boni and Operation Amani Boni, aim to dismantle militant networks and restore stability to Lamu and the surrounding counties.

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen emphasised the importance of supporting security officers, noting that the government is committed to improving their welfare through better pay, working conditions, and medical care. Local authorities and military units continue to call on residents to report suspicious activity, which is crucial for preventing attacks and safeguarding communities.

Operation Amani Boni underscores Kenya’s ongoing commitment to counterterrorism and regional security. The KDF reiterated that coordinated intelligence-driven operations, community vigilance, and continued development initiatives in the Boni region are vital to ensuring lasting peace, stability, and safety for local families.