KAMPALA-UGANDA/NEWSDAY: Sheikh Muhammad Kirevu aka Abbas Kirevu, a Muslim cleric killed in Wakiso on Thursday was a recruiting agent for the ADF terrorists, according to security forces.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga has said that when suspected ADF recruits were captured on Wednesday in Ntoroko after killing four others, one of the alleged recruits, Musa Abdullah Ayebare named Kilevu as his recruiter.
“Ayebare told our team that it was Kirevu who recruited him and he led the team to the home of his home in Gangu,” Enanga said.
Security forces also say that Sheikh Muhammad Kirevu and Sheikh Sulaiman Nsubuga of Kajjansi, were strong ADF rebel collaborators, who were using their networks to identify vulnerable individuals and families, to recruit from. Newsday reported about Sheikh Nsubuga as being sought. He was Imam at Salaam Mosque in Lweza.
“They thereafter, facilitated their movement to the DRC, for training and radicalization into the rebel ranks. They were also providing material support to operatives involved in the terror attacks. We are still actively hunting for Sheikh Sulaiman Nsubuga, who is still at large”, Enanga said.
Security forces say the wave of terror threats from domestic terrorists is linked or inspired by the ADF, a terrorist group based in the Eastern DRC.
“Our joint counter-terror teams, have conducted several raids and operations, aimed at disrupting and dismantling emerging terror cells within the country. A total of 21 suspects including operatives and coordinators, from the ADF cells that had been established,” Enanga said.
He named the terror hotspots as Mpererwe, Lweza, Luweero, Ntoroko and Bundibugyo.
“The cells were secretly involved in violent terrorist activities using IEDs and other weapons. Their arrests were based on information given by their accomplices and co-conspirators, who gave good accounts on how they planned, prepared and executed their acts of terror,” Enanga said.
On Wednesday, security forces killed four ADF suspects and arrested 21 others. Those killed allegedly attempted to run over a check point into DRC. All were shot and killed. They included Atindya Yassin aka Senabulya Dan, Byaruhanga Musa Bahemuka, Turikimanya Joshua Mathias and Bagonza Joseph, and that they were linked to Muhammad Luminsa, the 5th Commander, in the ADF structure.
Apart from Ayebare, 12 other alleged rebel recruits arrested including children as young as one month included; Kahindo Edith, aged 34 and from Nyabusokoma, Karugutu; Munubi Shakira, aged 26 and from Karugutu; Musa Abdallah Ayebare, aged 26 and from Gangu, Wakiso; Ainembabazi Mariam, aged 21 and from Karugutu; Tahad Seluwu, aged 23 and Fahad Seluwu, aged 21 from Katale, Kajjansi; Nassanga Sumaya, aged 18, and from Kasana Luweero; Imran Ssesanga, aged 12 from Kasana Luweero, Ayibi Kikomeko, aged 9 from Kasana Luweero; Muhaiminu Natukunda, aged 8 from Karugutu. Also included are three children aged 5, 18 months and a one month old.
On Thursday’s killing Enanga said that when the Sheikh was arrested, he resisted handcuffs and attempted to escape while being escorted to the patrol car, which led to a shooting, killing him instantly.
Successes
During the operations, security has recovered three sets of IEDs from the residences of Matovu Adam aka Manhaji from Ttula Kawempe, Mugamba Moses Mudasiru aka Kalyowa aka Moze, from Katooke Nansana and Muwonge Yusuf from Kireka Bbira.
“All the IEDs were successfully detonated by the bomb squad. In addition, an AK-47 Rifle, was recovered from the ADF cell in Paidha from Warom Felix,” he said.
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