Police hunt terrorist linked to Mandera killings
TUESDAY
MAY 23 2017
Inspector-General
of Police Joseph Boinnet. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
In Summary
·
Police have identified Abdrizak
Maalim Aweys as one of the suspects being hunted over links to Somalia-based
Al-Shabaab terrorist organisation.
·
Mr Boinnet attributed
resurgence of the attacks in Northern Kenya to increased pressure on Al-Shabaab
in Somalia by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops.
·
Any suspicious activities
should be reported to the nearest police station or administrative office as
well as through toll free telephone line 999, 911 and 912.
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By
FRED MUKINDA
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A
number dangerous terrorists have sneaked into the country from Somalia, police
have warned.
Inspector-General
of police Joseph Boinnet said they are responsible for two recent attacks in
Mandera County in which five people, including a chief were killed.
“Though
many terror plots have been thwarted, there have been two unfortunate incidents
in Mandera county in which Al-Shabaab elements sneaked in and attacked innocent
Kenyans. Security agents remain vigilant and are on hunt for the terrorists who
attempt to sneak into our country,” he said in a statement.
It
identifies Abdrizak Maalim Aweys as one of the suspects being hunted by police
over links to Somalia-based Al-Shabaab terrorist organisation.
Police
say he was involved in the latest deadly attacks.
COPYCAT ATTACKS
The
four were killed at a quarry in Qalanqalesa, Elwak on May 12 while Omar Jillow
location chief was attacked at his home three days later.
The
police alert coming barely 24 hours after 22 people were killed and over 50
others injured in a terror explosion in Machester, England, Mr Boinnet warned
local Al-shabaab cells may stage “copycat” attacks.
He
said: “There is a risk of local operatives of attempting to stage copycat
attacks. In this respect we have heightened vigilance on our part, and appeal
to the public to be watchful for any suspicious activity.”
The
statement was signed for the IG by spokesman George Kinoti.
The
police chief asked managers at private premises to heighten security measures.
Mr
Boinnet attributed resurgence of the attacks in Northern Kenya to increased
pressure on Al-Shabaab in Somalia by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops.
PLANTING BOMBS
“Al-Shabaab
is now under serious pressure in Somalia and has split into small groups, some
of whom are heading towards our border with the intention of staging attacks,”
he added.
Those
already in the country have been planting bombs on roads frequently patrolled
by security agents.
Al-Shabaab
presence has been reported in Mandera East, Lafey, Hulugho, Dif, Kolbio and
Kutulo.
The
police also want the public to “be fully conscious of their surrounding
especially in public service vehicles, in places of worship, restaurants and
bus and railway termini.”
Any
suspicious activities should be reported to the nearest police station or
administrative office as well as through toll free telephone line 999, 911 and
912.
YOUTH INITIATIVE
The war
against terrorism is being fought on different platforms by the government and
the civil society.
On
Monday an initiative to include the youth in the fight against terrorism was
launched in Nairobi. They are expected to come up with short videos with
anti-terrorism messages. The top three videos in the May 22-June 15 competition
will be awarded.
The
best video will be awarded Sh500,000, the second prize is Sh300,000 and the
third Sh100,000.
Competition
is open between May 22 and June 15, while the winners will be announced on July
8.
The
initiative dubbed “Lenga Ugaidi na Talanta” targets the youth because they are
easily lured by terrorists.
Details
of the initiative are posted on www.lengaugaidi.co.ke.
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