A group of Muslim jihadist attackers who on Monday stormed a bus in Kenya were prevented from attacking Christian passengers on board by a group of Kenyan Muslims, the BBC has reported.
According to the report, the gunmen were said to have ambushed the bus, attempting to divide those on board based on the passengers’ religious affiliations. However, the Muslim passengers reportedly refused to split. At least two people were killed.
Speaking to members of the Kenyan press, a local government official said Muslim passengers on board the Makka bus line told the terrorists “to kill them together or leave them alone,” according to Kenyan news outlet the Standard. Following the terror attack, Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary, Joseph Nkaissery, praised the Kenyan citizens who risked their lives in the attempt to protect the non-Muslims passengers.
Nkaissery said, “We commend the Muslims who stood by the Christians when the gang attacked.
“They showed the terrorists cannot separate us using religion. They cannot cause a religious war and I thank the passengers and locals,” he added.
Nkaissery said that the terrorists were able to carry out the attack, in part, due to a police escort vehicle that broke down.
“The drivers decided to proceed with their journeys without a police escort,” he said, according to the Standard.
“It is unfortunate at least two died.”
The bus was en route from the Kenyan capital city of Nairobi traveling to the northern city of Mandera, near the Somali boarder at the time of the attack, the BBC reported. Al-Shabaab, a terror group with roots in Somali is suspected to be responsible for the attack.
Post a Comment
Post a Comment