EVENT SUMMARY
MANDERA: In the past few weeks, Northeastern has witnessed a series of sporadic terror incidents linked to the Somali based Al-Shabaab.
Towards the end of 2015 (December 27), two police officers were killed and another injured when the extremist group’s adherents ambushed them on Lafey-Elwak road in Mandera.
Kenya’s counter-terrorism operations in NEP especially in Mandera that has witnessed terror activities has managed to arrest key terror suspects among them 8 Somali nationals.
The eight suspected terror operatives were arrested in Kotulo and Elwak localities in Northeastern region of Kenya during the ongoing counter-terrorism operations (CT-Ops)
While addressing media reporters yesterday (Tuesday 12th January 2016), North Eastern regional coordinator Mohamud Saleh confirmed that the eight terror suspects were arrested whilst in their hideouts and are detained at Mandera.
The suspects who are all of Somali descent had no document allowing their stay in Kenya.
Recent attacks and ambushes on residents and motorists travelling Mandera-Wajir road by Al-Shabaab prompted the scale-up operations.
Saleh noted that the ongoing CT-Ops were yielding fruits and will continue until NEP is safe and free of terror criminal elements.
Saleh also confirmed that some suspects have confessed to have committed attacks and since they have been cooperative in providing intelligence leads for more arrests.
The CT-Ops are expected to continue for at least another two weeks to flush out the militants from their hideouts along the Kenya-Somalia border.
