Police in Likoni Sub County, Mombasa are detaining five suspected criminals arrested during Christmas eve.
The Five according to Inuka police officers were armed with pangas planning to attack locals heading to church for the night Holy Mass.
They were also targeting those holding parties at their homes and those using different means of public transport including bodaboda and tuktuk heading to various entertainment joints.
“The five were arrested at Shikaadabu area in Likoni on Wednesday night. We have tightened our security operations during the festive season and thereafter. We will retain Likoni security status,” read the police statement.
The five youth belong to a criminal gang known as ‘Team Sixty Nine’ that has been singled out for terrorising Likoni residents.
“The five who were in possession of Marijuana, are being interrogated pending arraignment in court,” read the police report.
The suspects include Hamis Abdallah, Salim Ali, Hamisi Mwangome, Hamadi Suleiman, and Majaliwa Omar.
Detectives said the five were allegedly planning to attack residents a head of Christmas celebrations. They were disarmed and two pangas recovered from them.
Police officers have appealed to locals who may have fallen victims to the gang to report to Inuka police station for further police action.
The incident comes few days after Likoni police boss Geoffrey Ruheni assured Likoni residents of their security during the entire festive season and thereafter.
Ruheni urged security officials to bridge the gap between them and the community to ease security operations in the area.
“I urge the security officials in our Sub county to up their game and work closely with the community so that we secure Likoni and make it habitable for all,” said Mr Ruheni.
