Terror suspect admits Nisa officers attacked Kenyan police to free him

Bulla Power Sub Location Assistant Chief Yusuf Malim, Noor Yakub and Somali National Isaq Cabdi alias Issack Mohamed when they were presented before Kahawa Law Court Magistrate Gideon Kiage on March 26, 2025. [Fred Kagonye, Standard]

A terror suspect, Isaq Cabdi, alias Issack Mohamed, on Wednesday admitted that 20 Somalia’s National Intelligence Service Agency (Nisa) officers attacked Kenyan Police Reservists stationed at the border to rescue him.

The attack, which occurred on March 14, 2025, resulted in the death of one officer, Dennis Omari, and left another, Wright Mokua, seriously injured.

The attackers also took a G3 rifle, an AK47 firearm, and 90 rounds of ammunition, which were later returned.

Mandera County Criminal Investigations Officer Pius Gitari said that after Cabdi’s arrest, Nisa officers visited Kenya several times seeking to have him freed.

He said that the attack was carried out to abduct a Kenyan police officer, aiming to force negotiations with the government for his release.

Cabdi, who appeared before Kahawa Law Court Magistrate Gideon Kiage, pleaded guilty to procuring a Kenyan ID and being in the country illegally, in a case where he is also facing terror charges. He requested to be freed on bond and repatriated to Somalia.

Not ‘bad’ people

When given the chance to speak, the suspect said that the attackers were indeed Nisa officers, led by his brother, who attempted to rescue him and were “good people.”

He added that they were not bad individuals and could act as his surety if the court granted him bond.

“If given a phone, I can call and ask them to come to court. I have their contacts,” said Cabdi.

He is charged alongside a government administrator, Yusuf Malim, who is the Bulla Pawa Sub-Location Assistant Chief, and Noor Yakub.

They are accused of being members of the Al Shabaab terror group and planning a terrorist act.

The police allege that Cabdi came into the country on directions from a man only identified as Ahmed, based in Somali,a to execute a terrorist attack.

In an affidavit sworn by Police Sergeant Kennedy Karanja, preliminary investigations show that Yakub and Malim planned to abduct Chinese nationals who were working for Sinohydro Corporation Limited at a sewerage construction site in Mandera County.

Karanja states that Cabdi entered the country for that sole purpose and adds that Malim assisted him in applying for a Kenyan identification card.

The Officer of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Duncan Ondimu, urged Magistrate Kiage to deny bail to the three accused individuals, saying that the charges they face are serious in nature.

He argued that there was a risk of witness interference, particularly noting that Malim, being an assistant chief, was in a position to influence the investigation.