Police Arrest Al-Shabaab Operatives Plotting To Kidnap Foreigners In Mandera

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported on Tuesday morning that anti-terrorism police officers in Mandera have arrested two suspected Al Shabaab operatives who were planning to abduct a group of foreign nationals working in the area.

Acting on intelligence, the DCI revealed that officers swiftly apprehended the prime suspect, Isaac Abdi Mohamed, also known as Kharan Abdi Hassan, 29. He is said to have recently entered the country from El-ade in Somalia and forged several documents to pose as a Kenyan citizen.

“On keen scrutiny and thorough interrogation, it was discovered that the suspect was to pay Ksh 100,000 to his local associate, who would assist in the abduction exercise before he and another, Noor Yacob Ali, 29 facilitated the to-be victims’ movement to El-ade at a Ksh 300,000 fee,” the DCI stated.

Another police operation was conducted early this morning, resulting in the arrest of Yacob Ali at the Metameta area within Mandera township by a multi-agency security team.

The agency confirmed that both suspects are currently in custody undergoing further interrogation before being arraigned for their membership in a terrorist group, a serious offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).