2 arrested in Mandera over links to Al Shabaab – DCI
Two individuals linked to the Al Shabaab terror group have been arrested in the Mandera East constituency, Mandera County.
In a statement released by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, the two were planning to abduct a group of foreign nationals working on 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,” DCI said.
The individuals, Isaac Abdi Mohamed, alias Kharan Abdi Hassan, and Noor Yacob Ali, both aged 29, were arrested after the anti-terrorism police acted swiftly on intelligence reports.
Forged documents
Mohamed, who had recently entered Kenya from El-ade in Somalia, had forged documents to pose as a Kenyan citizen.
He was arrested after investigators uncovered his role in orchestrating the kidnapping plot.
“On keen scrutiny and thorough interrogation, it was discovered that Isaac Abdi Mohamed was to pay Ksh100,000 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.
Following his arrest, Mohamed led authorities to Yacob Ali, who was apprehended at Metameta, a location within Mandera township.
“Consequently, another operation was conducted early this morning, where Yacob Ali was cornered and arrested at the Metameta area within Mandera township by a multi-agency security team,” DCI added.
According to the DCI, the two men are now in custody and are facing charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) for their involvement in a terrorist organization.
“The two have been booked in custody, undergoing further interrogation ahead of their arraignment for being members of a terrorist group, which is a serious offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA),” the statement concluded.
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