Anti-terror police arrest two suspected Al-Shabaab operatives in Mandera
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspects had planned to abduct foreign nationals working on a sewer line construction site in Mandera Township.
The Anti-Terrorism Police Unit has arrested two people suspected to be al Shabaab operatives in Mandera East.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspects had planned to abduct Chinese nationals working on a sewer line construction site in Mandera Township.
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The main suspect is said to have recently entered Kenya from El-Ade in Somalia, DCI said on Tuesday.
After sneaking in, DCI said he forged several documents to pose as a Kenyan citizen.
One of the two suspected Al Shabaab operatives arrested in Mandera. (Photo: DCI)
During interrogation, the agency found that he had a local associate who was to receive Sh100,000 to help carry out the abduction. After that, he and another accomplice were to transport the victims to El-Ade for a Sh300,000 fee.
"Consequently, another operation was conducted early this morning, where another suspect was cornered and arrested at Metameta area within Mandera Township by a multi-agency security team," DCI said.
The suspects are in custody as investigations continue before they are taken to court. They are expected to face charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).
This comes after Kenyans raised concerns about security following the recent kidnapping of five local chiefs by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Mandera. The militants have since demanded a ransom of Sh7 million to release four of them.
The arrests were made after a key operative, Isaac Abdi Mohamed, alias Kharan Abdi Hassan, was detained on the evening of February 18, 2025.
The 29-year-old, believed to be a Somali national, had fraudulently applied for a Kenyan identity card shortly after arriving in the country.
Police say Isaac was working with a fellow operative and a local Chinese driver.
The investigation further revealed that Isaac was collaborating with a Kenyan accomplice, Noor Yacob Ali, aged 29.
Noor was arrested by a multi-agency security team in the Metameta area within Mandera Township.
Both suspects are currently in custody.
"Efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest other accomplices involved in the planned abduction," the police added.
The case is being handled by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) in Mandera.
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