Anti-terrorism detectives in Mandera have arrested an Assistant Chief over allegations of illegally facilitating the registration of Kenyan identification documents for two foreign nationals linked to terrorism.
In a statement on Thursday, February 20, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said Bula Power Assistant Chief Yussuf Maalim Issak was involved in an attempt to process IDs for terror suspects Isack Mohammed Abdi and Noor Yakub Ali.
Authorities believe the assistant chief played a critical role in procuring an acknowledgment registration slip, commonly known as an ID waiting card, for the suspects.
"The administrator is suspected to have facilitated the procurement of an acknowledgment for registration slip /ID waiting card for the terror suspects who were arrested while planning the abduction of a team of foreign nationals engaged in the construction of a sewer line in Mandera town," DCI said.
DCI said detectives have intensified investigations into the matter, stressing the importance of dismantling networks that aid criminal activities.
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"The assistant chief has been processed with the detectives and other security agencies working tirelessly to ensure that the residents of Mandera and all working within the town and its environs remain safe and secure as they undertake their day-to-day activities," the DCI statement added.
The terror suspects, Abdi and Ali, were arrested about two days ago in Mandera.
In an update on Tuesday, February 18, DCI said the two had planned to abduct foreign nationals working at a sewer line construction site within Mandera township.
“Anti-terrorism police in Mandera East have arrested two suspected Al-Shabaab operatives, who had planned the abduction of a team of foreign nationals working at a sewer line construction site within Mandera township,” read part of the DCI statement.
Abdi is said to have sneaked into the country from El-ade in Somalia and forged a number of documents to identify as a Kenyan.
“On keen scrutiny and thorough interrogation, it was discovered that the suspect was to pay Sh 100,000 to his local associate, who would assist in the abduction exercise before he and another, Noor Yacob Ali, 29 facilitated the to-be victims' movement to El-ade at a Sh 300,000 fee,” DCI stated.
A multi-agency security team conducted an operation on Tuesday morning, leading to the arrest of Abdi's associate, Ali.
“Consequently, another operation was conducted early this morning, where Yacob Ali was cornered and arrested at Metameta area within Mandera township by a multi-agency security team," DCI concluded.
