Kenyan authorities have foiled a terror attack by an East African terror group network with links to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
Kenya foils 'biological' terror attack
According to a statement by the country’s Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinnet, the terror group network was planning a biological attack using anthrax, a serious infectious disease.
PRESS RELEASE pic.twitter.com/I9uMax8LRH— Joseph Boinnet (@JBoinnet) May 3, 2016
Since 2012, the East African country has been prone to terror attacks mainly from Somali insurgent group Al-Shabaab.
With this in hand, authorities have stepped up its fight against terrorism and other criminal activities through an intelligence led multi-agency security approach.
Following police investigations, police apprehended a man believed to be organising the foiled attack. Mohammed Abdi Ali, a medical intern, together with his accomplices were arrested on April 29, 2016 under the prevention of terrorism act.
“He has been presented in court and custodial orders for an additional 30 days of investigation have been granted to the police,” said Boinnet.
Ali’s network is said to have been engaged in rationalization and recruitment of Kenyan youth into terror cells.
“The suspects were planning large scale attacks akin to the Westgate mall attack with the intention of killing innocent Kenyans,” added Boinnet.
Kenyan authorities are now calling on the public to provide information that may lead to the arrest of other accomplices of Ali who have since gone into hiding.
An emergency hotline has been provided in order to break the terror network and a bounty provided.
SECURITY ALERT: Talk to us on 999 or 112 if you have info of their whereabouts. #SecureKE pic.twitter.com/RiKsb4XAWE— InteriorCNG Ministry (@InteriorKE) May 3, 2016