Police have arrested three suspected terrorists who were allegedly planning to carry out a major terrorist attack at an entertainment joint in Diani, Kwale county.
Police said Mistwah Kassim, Musab Abdulnassir and a woman identified as Aisha Abdalla were arrested at a ferry crossing channel on their way to Diani to meet two other unknown terror operatives to carry out the attack.
The suspects were arraigned at a Mombasa court on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.
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Terror investigations
Investigating officer Japheth Yagan informed Mombasa Senior Resident Magistrate Rita Orora that he was investigating the suspects in relation to being members of a terrorist group, conspiracy to commit a terrorist act and being in possession of a firearm without a firearm certificate.
The court heard that at the time of their arrest, Musab Abdulnassir was ferrying a gun to Diani that was to be used during the attack.
Police said the Glock pistol serial number 187 was loaded with 15 rounds of ammunitions.
“There was intelligence information of an impending terrorist attack on social entertainment joints in Diani during the New Year's eve celebrations. Police managed to counter the suspect’s plans by arresting the second and third respondents who led police to the house of the first suspect where plans were ongoing,” the officer told the court.
Yagan further told the court that the suspects had disguised themselves as motorbike delivery riders in parts of Mombasa in an effort to advance their terror activities and earmark possible areas to attack.
The investigating officer asked the court to allow the police to detain the suspect for 15 days to allow them complete investigations into the incident.
He told the court that the officers were yet to arrest the suspects' accomplices who are still at large as well as record statements from the trio.
However, the court gave the police five days to complete the investigations.
The magistrate ordered the police to produce the suspects in court on January 9 for plea-taking.
