SUSPECTED AL SHABAAB MILITANTS ARRESTED

One terror suspect was killed and 10 others were flushed out of a mosque here where they were found with explosives and an al-Shabaab flag. Angry residents of Nyandero village in Kidatu Ward of Kilombero District attacked the suspect and set him ablaze after a fracas, during which he slashed a police officer in the neck with a sword.

He was said to be the host of the suspects arrested in the local mosque with 30 explosives, several live bullets, bomb detonators and police uniforms. Police said the items indicated that the suspects intended to commit a felony. Along with the black flag popularized by the Somali-based terror group, the suspects had text and exercise books bearing Arabic words. Those arrested have yet to be identified and the police have launched investigations to establish their origin and motive.

Morogoro Regional Police Commander Leonard Paul told reporters that the suspects were arrested following a tip-off from local residents. Police laid an ambush at the mosque after a search in the village established that the suspects had disappeared from the house where they were first spotted. They were finally flushed out at about 9.30pm on Tuesday. Witnesses said more suspects may have escaped as initial reports show there were about two dozen people who had arrived in several Bajajs.

Mr Paul identified the dead man as Hamad Makwendo from Manasini-Ruaha in Kilombero. Police started trailing the suspects following a tip-off from informers who said they were suspicious of their movements.

“Police lay in wait for Makwendo, who was co-ordinating their movement,” said Mr Paul. When he was stopped for inspection, he dashed away, leading to a chase.”

After a while, Commander Paul said, Makwendo pulled out a sword and slashed Corporal Nasoro in the neck. The officer was taken to hospital. Mr Paul said a colleague on the same patrol shot the suspect in the leg to immobilise him. But when he resisted and struck the officer, a huge mob that was helping in the chase lynched him.

A reinforcement of police from the Kilombero headquarters helped arrest the others from the Sunni Mosque in Kidatu area. Those in the mosque were frisked and those found with the items were arrested.

Posted by Mmasi Irene