Police in Tana River arrest suspect in Italian’s abduction
Ms Silvia Constanca Romano who was abducted by gunmen from Malindi, Kilifi County, on November 20, 2018. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Ibrahim Adan Omar was arrested on Sunday evening at around 7pm.
- Other suspects are Yusuf Kuno Adan and Said Adan Abdi who are still on the run.
One of the three key suspects linked to the abduction of an Italian volunteer student Silvia Romano has been arrested.
Mr Ibrahim Adan Omar was arrested on Sunday evening at around 7pm in Bangale, Tana River County.
Coast Regional AP commander James Akoru confirmed the arrest saying the suspect is cooperating with police.
“I may not relay detailed report since it might jeopardise the investigations,” he said.
A police who declined to be quoted told the Nation that An AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 100 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the suspect.
Other key suspects linked to the abduction with a Sh1 million bounty each on their head are Yusuf Kuno Adan and Said Adan Abdi, who are still on the run.
Residents of Malindi in Kilifi County on Monday said they witnessed about three police and military choppers flying towards the north at the borders of Tana River, Garissa and Lamu counties.
A multi-agency security team comprising of police and army units has reportedly sealed off Boni Forest and the areas bordering Lamu, Garisa and Tana River counties in search of the bandits who also injured five locals at Chakama in Kilifi during the ambush on November 20, 2018.
Last Sunday, former Tana River Governor Hussein Dado issued a five-day ultimatum to the pastoral community to find the abducted Italian volunteer.
Mr Dado, who is now the Devolution ministry’s chief administrative secretary (CAS), said he might be forced to join in the hunt for the abductors in the forest if she is not found by Saturday.
He spoke during Maulid celebrations at Oda in Garsen attended by hundreds of Muslim faithful where he also condemned the attack and abduction, saying it is against Islamic faith and teachings.
Following the kidnapping, 14 people were arrested but police later narrowed their target to three suspects.
Two of them, Mr Duma Haji Osman and Mr Hassan Borrow Khamis, were arrested in a forest in Asa Kone, Tana River County while allegedly trying to supply food to the abductors.
The third suspect, Ms Rukia Nuno, who is the wife of Mr Said Adan Abdi — one of the three key suspects in the abduction— was arrested in Tarasaa village in Garsen, Tana River County.
