A Mombasa-based businessman who had been charged with supplying arms to al Shabaab terror group has been 'captured' in Somalia.

 

The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) of Somalia claimed Friday it apprehended a key figure over the supply of arms to al Shabaab militants.

The businessman is allegedly known for his involvement in sourcing weaponry and explosives for the insurgent factions in Somalia.

There were conflicting reports on how he ended up in the hands of Somalia authorities.

While some sources said he was arrested after jumping bail in Kenya and trying to escape through the border, others said he was deported to Mogadishu.

This is after the family claimed that he was arrested on September 5 by individuals claiming to be police officers from the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU).

He has not been seen since.

In Somalia, NISA said the capture occurred just as he was preparing to disappear into the hideouts of these factions within Somalia.

"A 28-year-old Somali has been under surveillance by NISA for some time, and finally, NISA successfully apprehended him just as he was preparing to disappear and seek out the elusive hideouts of the Khawarij factions within Somalia," they said in a statement.

"He was the mastermind behind a network involved in the illicit procurement of a military container from abroad. NISA successfully intercepted these shipments at the port and airport of Mogadishu in May this year."

The statement added he would soon be handed over to the judiciary to be charged with his crimes.

However, Kenyan security officials said they had no comment to make.

The suspect had been charged in Shanzu court in Mombasa with illegally shipping military equipment and explosives to the al Shabaab terror group in Somalia and released on a Sh1 million bond.

He was charged with buying the military equipment on behalf of the al Shabaab and shipping them in three containers to Mogadishu.

One of the containers was recovered while the whereabouts of the other two are unknown.

The suspect was released from custody in June 2023 after spending over one month in police custody as investigators probed his role in the shipment of military equipment to Somalia.

The case before Senior Shanzu Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda has the suspect facing several charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act including belonging to a terrorist group and providing property for the commission of terrorist acts.

He was arrested in April 2023 at the Mama Ngina Water Front on suspicion that he had purchased and shipped military equipment and explosives to Somalia for the terrorist group.

In an affidavit sworn by the investigating officer, Corporal Gideon Wambua, he is accused of buying an assortment of equipment that he shipped to Mogadishu.

The shipment is said to have originated from China where he is believed to have spent his schooling years.

Three containers were shipped to Mogadishu and one of them was intercepted at the port of entry disguised as normal goods.

A closer inspection of the shipment however revealed an assortment of military equipment.

They included five high-spec drones capable of carrying 10 litres of liquid at a height of 500 metres above sea level, rifle scopes, material rolls for making military uniforms, 3000 metres of canvas for making tents, portable and foldable solar panes, military-grade walkie-talkies and camouflage suits.

The shipment also contained 18 pieces each of night vision goggles voice recording pens, spy watches, spy glasses, swimming goggles, 20 flashlights and batteries and military-grade helmets.

Investigators were probing his activities, especially in light of what they say is evidence received in April-May that he was offering logistical support to al Shabaab in Somalia.

Detectives were also investigating his phone record, M-Pesa and bank transactions as they sought to unravel the mystery of the Kenyan allegedly supporting al Shabaab and the whereabouts of the other two containers he is believed to have shipped to Somalia.

The developments were described as a breakthrough in efforts to contain the terror activities in the region at large.

United Nations organization denounces the M23's illegal road blocks in Masisi

 

.

“The M23 rebels have erected illegal barriers on the axis Kirolwe - Kitshanga -mweso in Masisi territory in the province of North Kivu. This situation directly affects the local population,” indicated the organization . The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

UNOCHA

made this alert last Wednesday in its newsletter.

Tshisekedi and Museveni decided to extend the duration of operation

 Evaluation work on the third phase of joint FARDC-UPDF operations in the Beni region and part of the province of Ituri, in the East, concluded this Friday, September 29 at Fort Portal in Uganda. of the Democratic Republic of Congo. At the end of these meetings, it was decided to continue these operations in the two regions, shaken by the increased activism of the terrorists of the Allied Democratic Forces, ADF/MTM who continue to mourn the populations of this country. According to a dispatch from Captain Antony Mwalushayi, numerous strategies have been put in place for the joint hunt for terrorists in the territories of both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, where they operate. A joint communiqué was signed by three generals including Major General Kasongo Maloba of the Sokola 1 Grand-Nord operational sector, Major General Nyembo Abdallah of the operational sector in Ituri and Major General Dick Olum, commander of the mountain division of the Ugandan army and deputy commander of FARDC-UPDF joint operations. This extension was decided by Presidents Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi of the DRC and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, in accordance with the bilateral memorandum of standby and the status of agreement of the Forces.

A rocket blast in a stadium in Goma

 

A rocket from weapon RPG 7 held by an element of FARDC on board a Military Jeep at the roundabout commonly called INSTIGO , inadvertently released after the vehicle jumped

On Pavement . The rocket that fell at the Unity stadium caused 12 injuries, including 11 civilians and the soldier holding the weapon. All these injured aretaken care of at the Provincial Hospital where, unfortunately, one has just succumbed to his injuries." 

"It is brought to the attention of the population of the city of Goma, that this Thursday, September 28, 2023 at around 4 p.m., a Rocket from the RPG 7 weapon held by an element of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo on board a Military Jeep at the roundabout commonly called INSTIGO, inadvertently released after the vehicle tilted On Pavement.The Rocket that fell at the Unity stadium caused 12 injuries, including 11 civilians and the soldier holding the weapon. All these injured aretaken care of at the Provincial Hospital where, unfortunately, one has just succumbed to his injuries. To do this, the Ad Interim Military Governor of the Province of North Kivu, Major General CIRIMWAMI NKUBA Peter presents his compassion and appeal to the population for calm", official version in this press release .

Two bomb explosions in Dhusamareb

 Alshabaab  claims responsibility for two suicide attacks targeting Dhusamareb town, where president HSM had set up a temporary base to encourage the military offensive against the group. Alshabaab said one of the attacks hit the presidential palace of the town.

These two car explosions reported in Dhusamareb on Thursday morning. 

State television reports security forces foiled a suicide attack targeting a security checkpoint. 

Al Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack. Casualties unknown.

Major general Kasongo Maloba Robert and Major general Nyembo Abdallah of FARDC meet Major General Dick Olum of UPDF to evaluate the ongoing joint military operations

 The Commander of the operational sector SOKOLA 1 Great Nord Major General KASONGO MALOBA Robert and his colleague from the operational sector ITURI Major General NYEMBO Abdallah, arrived this Wednesday, September 27, 23, in the town of Fort portal in the district of Kabarole in the Republic of 'Uganda.

Objective, to evaluate the ongoing military operations carried out jointly between FARDC and UPDF, in the BENI region in North Kivu and in part of the province of Ituri. After the military honors, the SOKOLA 1 Great Nord operational sector commander and his entourage had a tête-à-tête with Major General Dick OLUM, commander of the mountain division.

The m23 reoccupies some zones it has vacated

 "The M23 rebels have reoccupied localities formerly abandoned as part of the ceasefire. These are the hills of KIBARIZO, KABALEKASHA, KIRUMBU BUKOMBO, RUGOGWE, BUSUMBA and BURUNGU in MASISI Territory, the hill of RUHUNDA in KIBUMBA in NYIRAGONGO territory. They tried to settle on the ridge of Kanyamahoro in Kibumba near Goma, going so far as to place the Kenyan contingent of the EAC behind their lines. It was necessary the pressure from the FARDC and the dissuasion of the regional force so that the latter withdraw",