Two suspected Al-Shabaab militants arrested in Tana River

Tana River County Police Commander Fredrick Ochieng. He said two Al-Shabaab suspected were arrested in Hola on January 23, 2020. PHOTO | STEPHEN ODUOR | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Locals apprehended Mohammed Omar Ali, 43, as he asked for direction to nearest police stations and churches.

  • The suspects have been handed over to the Anti -Terrorist Police Unit for interrogation.

Security has been beefed up in Tana River County after locals reportedly spotted six armed men believed to be Al-Shabaab militants in Bula village.

County Police Commander Fredrick Ochieng said the suspects were seen crossing River Tana from Garissa side to Lagbadana village on Wednesday in a boat.

Police have been deployed to man all telecommunication masts, public offices and places that are likely to be attacked.

Locals apprehended Mohammed Omar Ali, 43, as he asked for direction to nearest police stations and churches.

LAPTOP RECOVERED

“He claimed he was going to Nairobi through Garissa; we did not understand how he ended up in Hola area when there is only one way to Nairobi from Garissa,” said Mr Ochieng.

The items recovered from the suspect included a laptop with codes and locations of various foreign communication installations such as San Marco mast in Malindi.

The San Marco mast is used for launching of satellites by American forces. The second suspect, Abdalla Mohamed Abdalla, 20, was arrested in Laza town.  

VIGILANT

Upon interrogation, he claimed that he was on his way to Garissa from Mombasa via Hola. He was found in possession of a Kenyan identity card, a copy of a primary school certificate and Sh13,600.

Both suspects were handed over to the Anti-Terrorist Police Unit for interrogation. Mr Ochieng has urged locals to be vigilant and report any suspicious characters.

“Tana River County is targeted for terror attack, we have put measures in place by ensuring that all communication masts, vital installations, places of worship, schools and other social places are guarded on a 24-hour basis,” he said.