Police commander identifies Islamist terrorist leaders – AIM Report

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Police commander identifies Islamist terrorist leaders – AIM Report

9:49 CAT | 14 Aug 2018

General Commander of the Mozambican police, Bernardino Rafael (file photo)

The General Commander of the Mozambican police, Bernardino Rafael, on Sunday announced that investigators have identified the ringleaders of the Islamist group known locally as “Al-Shabaab”, which has been spreading terror in parts of the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

Speaking in the provincial capital, Pemba, Rafael explained that the police received these details from local people who have been the victims of the terror.

According to Rafael, the leader of the group is Abdul Rham Faisal. The other suspects named were Abdul Azizi, Ibin Omar, Nuro Abdulreheman Bacar, Anlin Machude, Salumo Kijepel, Abdul Latifo, Fiquir, Saide Bongue, and Buraimo Anssumane.

Reported in the daily newspaper “Noticias”, Rafael stated these ringleaders are still in the bush leading criminal incursions in the region.

The General Commander was speaking at a police parade during a visit to the districts of Mueda, Nangade, Palma, and Mocimboa da Praia.

He told his staff that he has spoken with residents from the hardest hit communities, stating, “the people told me: commander, we know the leaders of the group because they were here with us, they prayed with us, and recruited many people because they handed out money and promised jobs”.

Rafael was encouraged by his visit noting “my colleagues, there is an opportunity for success in the pursuit of this group as we have the population on our side”.

“Al-Shabaab” means “the youth” in Arabic, and the use of the term does not imply any direct connection with the Somali terrorist group of that name.

The Police Commander also gave information about the recent shooting and kidnapping of a South African citizen, Andre Hanekom, in the northern town of Palma. Whilst the perpetrators are still unknown, Rafael suspected that Hanekom was the victim of a business disagreement. He stressed that the most important thing is that Hanekom was rescued and is now receiving treatment.

The Police Commander added that any further questions should be directed to the Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) which is investigating the crime.

“Noticias” interviewed Andre Hanekom in the provincial hospital in Pemba where he is recovering from bullet wounds to his arm and stomach. He explained that on 1 August at around 2 pm he was chased by armed men driving a Toyota Land Cruiser after visiting his bank to withdraw 50,000 meticais (about 860 US dollars at current exchange rates).

Hanekom explained, “they blocked my car. They came wearing hoods and shot me with a pistol in the arm and abdomen. I fell and after covering my face with a cloth they took me to the woods. They left me bleeding in the bush. Later, uniformed men appeared and took me to the hospital in Mueda”.

Source: AIM