One down, three to go!
It’s been several weeks since the Chakama attack in Malindi town, Kilifi county when gunmen opened fire at the Chakama market and abducted an Italian aid worker, Silvia Romano.
Security personnel now confirmed that they have arrested one of the three main suspects in connection with the abduction of Italian aid worker Silvia Romano.
Ibrahim Adan Omar, who had a Ksh. 1 million bounty placed on his head was nabbed at Bangali town in Tana River at 7 pm on Monday.
The other suspects who are wanted over the abduction include Yusuf Kuno Adan and Said Adan Abdi.
An operation has been ongoing since November 20, when Romano, the manager of African Milele Onlus, was abducted at her rental home in Chakama in Kilifi.
Coast regional Administration Police Commander James Akoru confirmed that the suspect is in now in police custody and is cooperating with police as they hunt down the two remaining suspects and Romano.
James Akoru however declined to give any further details concerning the arrest.
“It’s true we have arrested one suspect, but I may not disclose other details since it could jeopardise the investigations,” Akoru said.
Security personnel have been conducting a major air and ground operation in Kilifi and Tana River counties. Sources say that an AK47 riffle, two magazines and bullets.
Last week, three people, among them the wife of one of the three key suspects and a Tana River nominated MCA, appeared in court but were not charged as police sought more time to complete investigations.
A security operation comprising the Kenya Police, AP, GSU, Kenya Defence Forces, KWS, and special forces are in Tana River and Lamu searching for the suspects.
The suspects are believed to be planning to cross over into Somalia with Romano.
On November 20, 2018, gunmen, whom police described as “bandits”, raided the market in Makongeni Sub Location, about 80 kilometres west of Malindi town at around 8pm injuring five people while abducting Silvia Romano.
Silvia is an Italian aid worker with Milele Onlus, a non-governmental organisation whose mission is to raise literacy and education levels especially among orphans. She was serving as a Corporate Affairs Officer in Chakama where she was abducted.
Do you think there is hope for finding Romano alive and the two other suspects?