Police gun down terror suspect in Msambweni

A suspected terror suspect was on Wednesday morning shot dead by police in Kibundani, Msambweni Sub County as war on crime is heightened in the area.

The suspect, identified as Mohammed Tulia, according to police, has been on the watch-list and his plans to attack officers on patrol at around 5am were thwarted acted fast before he could harm them.

Confirming the incident at Diani Police Station, Msambweni Deputy County Commissioner Elvis Korir said the suspect threw a hand grenade at the officers.

Although no one was injured, he said, the officers were prompted to gun him down in self-defence after realizing that their lives were in danger.

Apart from the hand grenade, Mr Korir refused to disclose whether the officers found any other weapon or documents on the suspect.

“I am not able to give you all information as of now but I will be able to do so immediately after we are through with our investigations,” he said.

But according to witnesses, who did not want to be mentioned for fear of victimization, the suspect was in company of a woman who was taken away by the officers.

The police, however, did not admit having taken away any woman only seeking for more time to gather detailed information about the plans the slain suspect had.

Elsewhere, an herbalist identified as Ramadhan Fondo was shot dead at Mbuwani in the same sub county on Tuesday night at around 9:30pm.

Mr Korir said Mr Fondo was killed by people suspected to be Al-Shabaab returnees who raided his house as he watched news in his house.

“We are still conducting investigations, much detail will come out and that is when we will be able to give a conclusive report on the same,” he said.

However, sources who knew the man said he was a member of Nyumba Kumi initiative but he resigned to concentrate on his work as an herbalist after realizing that his life was in danger.

The two incidents came barely a month after three members of Nyumba Kumi were shot dead at Bongwe village by suspected Al-Shabaab returnees who have been terrorizing the area.

The incidents led to the transfer former Msambweni OCPD Joseph Omijah who was taken to the traffic police headquarters in Nairobi and Deputy County Commissioner Mwangangi Mwania who was transferred to Turkana.

(Editing by Obed Simiyu)