4 Suspects Alleged To Be Planning Attacks In Nyali Arrested

Police in Mombasa County on Friday arrested four people and impounded their vehicle as they entered City Mall in Nyali.

The three men and one woman were arrested by heavily armed police officers at about 11am at the security checkpoint at the entrance as guards were inspecting the grey Toyota Premio.

The suspects were later taken to the Coast Police headquarters, where they were detained. The vehicle, which the police described as suspicious, was driven to the station by an officer accompanied by two others. The suspects were transported in a police vehicle accompanied by heavy security.

Speaking at the station, Coast Regional Police Commander Robert Kitur said information about the vehicle was circulated to police a week ago. He, however, did not give further details.

The Nation crew observed police remove two bags from the vehicle and transfer them to theirs before driving away to police headquarters.

PARKED NEAR ENTRANCE

A guard at the entrance said they became suspicious of the occupants of the vehicle since they first parked near the entrance for some time before they eventually moved. The police officers intervened before they could access the mall’s parking lot.

“As they tried to enter the mall, we suspected it. I asked them to stop and allow me to inspect it (the vehicle) but they were hesitant … We had already alerted some officers who were deployed here and they arrested the occupants,” said the guard.

A senior officer said the vehicle was being sought together with three others.

“We are also looking for one which came from Garissa, it was seen in Kiembeni. We are alert, we are going to search the car using special machines because we do not know what is inside the car. For now we are probing the four (occupants),” said the officer, who requested anonymity, saying the matter was being handled by senior antiterrorism detectives.