DCI Bust Tanzania Terror Suspects Using Notebook To Cross Into Somalia

Two terror suspects believed to be from Tanzania were arrested on Friday, July 14 while headed to Somalia, to join the Al-Shabaab terror network. 

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspects Sadam Jafari Kitia, 30 and Abdirahman Shaffi Mkwatili, 25 were arrested by security agents in Moyale after they lost their direction to Somalia.

"They were using a notebook scribbled in Swahili to guide their movement from Tanzania to Jilib in Somalia," stated the DCI in part.

Abdirahman Shaffi Mkwatili and Sadam Jafari Kitia following their arrest in Moyale on July 14, 2023, while on their way to join Al-Shabaab in Somalia. /CITIZEN DIGITAL

A police source who spoke to Citizen Digital revealed that the suspects had disclosed that they were indeed heading to Somalia to join Al-Shabaab after being recruited and facilitated by their handlers in Tanzania.

“This is a trend that we have noted with recruits travelling to join either Al-Shabaab or Daesh, that they are provided with travel arrangements avoiding communications while on the way or asking people about the route to avoid raising suspicion," stated the police source. 

The arrest of the duo came after three more suspects Abdul Saif Salimu, Zuberi Ngare Mtondoo and Seif Abdalla Juma, also from Tanzania, were arrested in the last two weeks in Garissa. 

This is after members of the public reported their presence at Karakora area within Garissa County, where they were stranded after getting lost.

A Ugandan national was also recently arrested in Liboi on his way to Somalia, with police noting that this was made possible following the collaboration between security agencies and the community.

Meanwhile, a court in Mombasa placed two terror suspects arrested in 2016 on their defence.

Abu Fidaa and Nuseiba Mohamed Ali, face various charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act including, directing the commission of a terrorist act, recruitment of members of a terrorist group, soliciting for the commission of a terrorist act and promoting a terrorist act among others. 

The defence hearing for the two is slated for August 21-25, 2023. The ruling was delivered virtually by chief justice Martha Mutuku at the Mombasa law courts.

"We thank members of the public for their cooperation with security agencies in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism," stated the DCI.

Security agencies are warning Public Service Vehicle operators to be alert and share any information on the movement of suspicious foreigners.