Two suspected Al-Shabaab operatives arrested for abduction plot of foreign nationals
The two Al-Shabaab suspects had planned to abduct foreign nationals working at a sewer line construction site in Mandera township
The two Al-Shabaab suspects had planned to abduct foreign nationals working at a sewer line construction site in Mandera township.
Anti-terrorism police unit officers have arrested two suspected Al-Shabaab operatives in Mandera County.
The 29-year-old was arrested in Mandera after sneaking into the country from El–Ade, Somalia, and forging documents to identify as a Kenyan.
According to a report by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspect was working with a Kenyan associate to carry out a cross-border kidnapping.
The two had reportedly conspired to abduct foreigners working at a sewer line construction site in Mandera before their plan was intercepted following a tip-off to the authorities.
“Anti-terrorism police in Mandera East have arrested two suspected Al-Shabaab operatives, who had planned the abduction of a team of foreign nationals working at a sewer line construction site within Mandera township,” read part of the DCI statement.
With the help of his Kenyan partner-in-crime, the Somali national was to transport the foreign workers across the border to Somalia once the abduction was carried out.
Upon the Somali national’s arrest, details emerged from his interrogation about how they planned to execute the bold mission.
The main suspect was to pay Ksh100,000 to his Kenyan associate to facilitate the initial abduction of the targets.
Thereafter, a further Ksh300,000 was to be paid to enable the Kenyan suspect to move the victims across the border.
On Tuesday, February 18, another high-level operation by a multi-agency team led to the Kenyan accomplice’s arrest in the Metameta area of Mandera town.
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Currently, the two are undergoing further interrogation as DCI detectives continue investigations on suspicion of terrorism.
Upon arraignment, they will face charges on suspicion of being members of the Al Shabaab terrorist group, which is a serious offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).
This arrest comes just over two weeks after five chiefs were abducted from the same town by suspected Al-Shabaab terrorists while travelling from Wargadud to Elwak Town for official duty.
Despite the intervention of President William Ruto, the five are yet to be released.
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