Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have announced the arrest of three individuals believed to be the masterminds behind a recent wave of criminal activity in Mombasa.
In a statement made on July 25, the DCI revealed that detectives from Mombasa Urban acted on reliable intelligence which saw them execute a strategic ambush in Nyali estate on Links Road.
The operation saw them capture two primary suspects identified as Ali Ahmad Ali, also known as “Mkali,” and Abdulrahman Arafat.
“In response to a surge in criminal activities in Mombasa town and its vicinity, detectives from Mombasa Urban have made significant progress by arresting three key suspects believed to be the masterminds behind the crime wave,” read the statement in part.
“Acting on intelligence, detectives orchestrated an ambush in Nyali estate on Links Road, resulting in the swift apprehension of two suspects, Ali Ahmad Ali, known by the alias “Mkali,” and Abdulrahman Arafat.”
DCI Detectives Interrogate the Suspects
Following their arrest and interrogation, the suspects provided information that led officers to their hideout, a nearby rented house situated near Allidina Visram High School where they found the third suspect, Mohamed Zulf.
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Detectives conducted a thorough search of the premises which saw the discovery of several stolen items, which included four pangas, two sharpened metal bars, eighteen small bales of bhang, ten mobile phones suspected to be stolen, six spotlights, four stolen sheep, a 32-inch television, and a gas cylinder.
Also, DCI reported that the trio has been taken to the Mombasa Central Police Station for processing and are expected to face charges soon in court.
Juvenile Gangs Terrorize Residents in Mombasa
In recent months, reports of insecurity in the coastal town of Mombasa have made headlines with juvenile gangs armed with machetes unleashing a series of burglaries and violent attacks on residents.
In April, CCTV footage captured a group of a criminal gang members robbing unsuspected locals at one of the streets in Mombasa’s Central Business District (CBD).
The footage was circulated widely on social media, attracting the attention of the DCI as well as other security agencies.
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Following public uproar over the rise of insecurity, Mombasa County Commissioner Mohammed Noor ordered a crackdown on the gangs which saw the arrest of 177 suspects believed to be part of the youth wreaking havoc.
“A large number of those arrested are below 18 years,” said Noor while briefing the media on the crackdown against the juvenile gangs in Mombasa.
The security officers while speaking to media that most of those arrested are eventually set free because most victims fear coming forward.
“The gang members are young men well known within the area, but we cannot name them out of fear that they will later come after you…We live in such fear because of this,” said a resident.
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