Help police keep region safe, DCI boss tells Northeastern residents

Director of criminal investigations Mohamed Amin has urged residents of Garissa and North Eastern at large to work closely with security agencies in a bid to keep the region safe and secure.

He said all citizens have a role to play in ensuring that al Shabaab is kept at bay.

“Al Shabaab as you all know is existential threat to the security of our country. As good patriotic citizens let us continue cooperating with the security personnel so that we keep the enemy completely away from our midst,” Amin said.

Speaking in Saka, Balambala subcounty where he officiated the official opening of Masjid Al-Hidayah mosque that he helped construct, Amin said residents can't afford to rest on their laurels as the al Shabaab threat remains glaring.

He said al Shabaab is enemy to both religion and the country.

The three counties of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa have for a long time borne the brunt of al Shabaab attacks that have claimed the lives of hundreds of security officers, civil servants and civilians.

Key sectors have also been affected by the insecurity with education being the worst hit after nonlocal teachers fled after fearing for their lives.

The top detective said without peace and security, no development can take place.

The DCI boss said in order to wage a successful war against terrorism and violent extremism, everyone must be brought on board.

He said this should be done by residents providing timely and actionable information to security agencies that can help in deterring would-be threats.

Amin who was accompanied by Rtd Senior Assistant Inspector General Omar Shurie further called on parents to at all times be able to account for the whereabouts of their children.

In the past there have been instances where al Shabaab and their associates have turned Northeastern region into a recruiting ground where they targeted desperate youth whom they then use to advance their narrative including carrying out attacks.

Amin thanked residents from the area for managing security saying incidences of insecurity have never been reported in the area, a clear testimony that they were determined to ensure security is upheld.

On his part, Shurie thanked the DCI boss for leading a dedicated team which has remained steadfast in carrying out thorough investigations and bursting crimes across the country.

He said peace, security and development go hand-in-hand and reiterated the need for residents to jealously guard their security.