Mandera—Anti-terrorism police in Mandera East have arrested two suspected Al Shabaab operatives in a dramatic operation that foiled a sinister plot to abduct foreign workers at a sewer line construction site in Mandera township.
The prime suspect, Isaac Abdi Mohamed, alias Kharan Abdi Hassan, 29, was captured following an intelligence-led operation. Investigators revealed that Mohamed had recently sneaked into Kenya from El-Ade, Somalia, using forged documents to pass as a Kenyan citizen.
“We have been trailing him for weeks. His movements were suspicious, and we had reason to believe he was here on a dangerous mission,” said a senior anti-terror officer who spoke on condition of anonymity.
A deep dive into Mohamed’s communications and financial transactions exposed a chilling plan: he had promised Sh100,000 to a local associate who was to assist in abducting the foreign nationals. The plan was for the victims to be smuggled into Somalia, where they would be handed over to Al Shabaab militants for a Sh300,000 ransom.
Second Suspect Arrested in Daring Dawn Raid
With this revelation, security forces launched a covert manhunt for Mohamed’s alleged accomplice, Noor Yacob Ali, also 29. The operation led the elite multi-agency unit to Metameta area in Mandera township, where Yacob Ali was cornered and swiftly apprehended in the early morning hours.
“This was a well-coordinated plan, but our intelligence network is strong. We will not allow Mandera or any part of Kenya to be a playground for terror groups,” Mandera County Police Commander John Otieno told The Daily Whistle.
What’s Next for the Suspects?
Both suspects are now in police custody, facing intensive interrogation before being formally charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). Authorities are confident that their arrest has disrupted a broader terror network operating along the Kenya-Somalia border.
“We are sending a clear message: Kenya is not a haven for terrorists. If you attempt to bring violence here, you will be met with the full force of the law,” declared a top security official involved in the operation.
The arrests mark another victory for Kenya’s anti-terrorism unit, reinforcing its resolute stand against extremist threats. Security forces remain on high alert, vowing to eliminate any attempts to destabilize the region.
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