Kenyan Authorities Arrest Two Al Shabaab Suspects in Mandera

Mandera police have arrested two suspected members of the Al Shabaab terror group who were allegedly plotting to abduct foreign workers at a sewer construction site in Mandera Township.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the prime suspect, Isaac Abdi Mohamed, also known as Kharan Abdi Hassan, had recently sneaked into Kenya from El-Ade, Somalia. Authorities believe he was orchestrating the abduction with the help of a local accomplice.

Investigations revealed that Mohamed was set to pay Ksh. 100,000 to his associate, who would facilitate the kidnapping. The victims were then to be transported to El-Ade for a ransom of Ksh. 300,000.

His accomplice, Noor Yacob Ali, was apprehended in the Metameta area of Mandera before the plan could be executed. The duo is now in police custody and is expected to face terrorism-related charges in court.

“The suspects are undergoing further interrogation for being members of a terrorist group, which is a serious offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA),” DCI officers confirmed.

Authorities have heightened security in Mandera and urged the public to remain vigilant, reporting any suspicious activities that could pose a security threat.