Fourteen gang members armed with blood-stained machetes and knives were arrested by police in Mombasa today after a tip-off from members of the public.
According to the Nyali Officer Police Commander Mr. Simon Thirikwa, the gang was caught unawares in four houses in the Bombolulu area Mombasa.
“My officers moved in quickly and were able to arrest the 14 boys where seven machetes and three knives were recovered,” said the Commander.
Thirikwa noted that some of the machetes recovered had blood stains and they were suspected to have been used in a robbery two days ago. He said the police were looking for anyone who would file a complaint so they could compare the blood samples to see if they could connect the cases.
He said the exercise was a breakthrough thanks to the help of members of the public and urged them to continue collaborating with security agencies to keep Mombasa safe.
The officer assured that the operation, coordinated by the County Commander, would continue to arrest some of the criminals who escaped.
He hinted that the gang was suspected to have been planning to launch attacks around Bombolulu and surrounding areas.
The Police Commander said the CID department has launched investigations to identify the motive and origin of the group.
Thirikwa confirmed that security remains unshaken in Kisauni and Nyali areas since there was close cooperation between members of the public and the security agencies like was the case today.
The Commander called on parents to advise their children on the dangers of engaging in criminal activities as the government would not spare them.
He said this in reaction to a woman who followed up her son’s arrest claiming that he was not a criminal and never leaves the house.