By Bruhan Makong
Three
terror suspects from Zanzibar, Tanzania who were arrested in Wajir last
year have been jailed for 15 years each for being in possession of
items used in terrorism acts.
Mbarouk Ali Adibu
(34), Idarous Abdirahman (32) and Islahi Juma (22) appeared before Wajir
Senior Resident Magistrate Amos Makoros for sentencing on Wednesday
following convictions on
Tuesday.
They were arrested by security officers at Kutulo while planning to cross into Somalia.
After their arrest,
they were remanded in Wajir Prison on October 19, 2018 following their
not guilty pleas pending completion of police investigations.
The three will now
serve their sentences at Wajir Prison. According to a source who sought
anonymity, more than 50 terror suspects have passed through the Wajir
prison putting petty offenders at risk of radicalisation.
This judgement comes as the government intensifies its fight against terrorism following the attack on Dusit hotel complex.
RADICALISATION FEARS
"In the past two
years, the government has been carrying out massive crackdowns on terror
suspects and most of them have at one time passed through the Wajir
prison. We are worried that such a group of suspects could even recruit
more prisoners," he said.
Wajir County has borne the brunt of terrorism attacks and is often used as transit route to Somalia by terror recruits.
Its proximity to the border also makes it a favourite staging and recruitment ground by terror groups.
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