Police in Mombasa have arrested four persons of interest following a crackdown against infamous Panga Boys gang in the coastal county.
In a statement on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced that the arrests followed reports of an attack of two members of the public who were heading to the Kongowea market.
“In a move to curb the menace of the notorious machete-wielding gang terrorising members of the public in Mombasa and its surrounding areas, officers from Mjambere Police Station in Kisauni Sub-County have apprehended four gang members and seized their weapons,” DCI stated.
The persons, whom the police say defied surrender orders, include Ali Yusuf (24), Said Hamisi (23), Ali Swalleh (19) and Siajabu Bakari (19).
“The crackdown followed reports of an attack on two individuals heading to the Kongowea market. Acting swiftly, police officers on foot patrol traced the suspects Ali Yusuf, 24, Said Hamisi, 23, and two 19-year-olds, Ali Swalleh and Siajabu Bakari to Kadongo area,” DCI added.
During the altercation with the police, one of the persons of interest was shot in the foot and was taken to Coast Teaching and Referral Hospital for medical care.
“Upon encountering the officers, the suspects were ordered to surrender. Instead, the gang members resisted, violently launching an assault on the officers. In response, the officers returned fire, injuring Ali Yusuf in his left foot. The suspects were subsequently arrested and taken to Mjambere Police Station, while the injured individual was escorted to Coast Teaching and Referral Hospital for medical care,” DCI stated.
The remaining three suspects are currently undergoing processing pending arraignment.
More Panga Boys’ arrests
The arrest of the four brings to nine persons of interest arrested in connection with the infamous Panga Boys gang.
Others arrested in connection with the gang include 24-year-old Abbas Abdallah Abbas aka ‘Tajiri’, Brian Omondi Odida, Shaban Munga (26), Sande Kalama Kitsao (24) and Shebani Charo Kalume (34).
