Kenyan Security Forces Arrest 4 Al Shabaab Suspects in Dadaab, Seize Weapons

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Over the weekend security officers in Garissa nabbed Al Shabaab suspects and seized their weapons.

3 AK-47 rifles, 7 magazines, 8 magazine pouches and 92 rounds of ammunitions were recovered.

Other things recovered included 6 mobile phones and more than 200 mobile phones motherboards which militants use to assemble improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

ASSESSMENT

North Eastern Province Kenya has been prone of Al Shabaab terrorist’s activities citing it geographical proximity with Somalia which is considered the home base of Al Shabaab militants.

This is the third time the security officers have arrested Al Shabaab militants in NEP region in separate incidences and recovering weapons in a span of three months. Last month, six Al Shabaab militants were arrested and dangerous ammunitions were recovered.

Local residents have been lauded for embracing community policing and for volunteering valuable intelligence that make it possible to intercept these militants before committing attacks.

North Eastern Regional Coordinator, Mohamud Saleh called on more locals to contribute in giving out information assuring them their identities would remain sealed and in confidence.

Combined security officers over the weekend intercepted and arrested four suspected Al Shabaab militants and recovered various weapons arrested at the Ifo refugee camp in Dadaab, Garissa County.

While addressing journalists in his office Tuesday morning, North Eastern Regional Coordinator Mohamud Saleh revealed on a tip-off, security officers were able to act immediately, sealing the scene and arresting the suspects and seizing their ammunitions.

SUMMARY

The suspects who are aged between 19 and 24 year have been held for interrogation. Saleh revealed they have received crucial information that would greatly help security authorities in curbing Al Shabaab militancy which has threatened the Kenyan citizenry in several occasions.

According to NEP regional coordinator, Al Shabaab militants have been smoked out of the war-torn Somalia and now Kenya security agencies have all their information, strategies, movement, hideouts, strength and capabilities.

Security along Kenya-Somalia border has been heightened and surveillance has been placed strategically monitoring any remnant of Harakat al Shabaab al Mujahideen movement trying to cross over will be met with full wrath of Kenyan security.