Details of Major Terrorist Attack Planned For Nairobi - Boinnet

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet has revealed that 3 men arrested in Isiolo in February were planning to bomb judicial buildings and a government office in Nairobi.

Boinnet disclosed that the terrorists' goal was to make a statement in defence of those being prosecuted for terror offences and possibly rescue them.

“These terrorists were targeting a government building and we suspect they planned to attack a judicial building probably to rescue people being prosecuted for terror offences,” he stated.

He further explained that the terrorists believed the attack would shake the country and its leadership to the core.

Boinnet stated: “Were they to succeed it would have had an impact up to 200 metres. In our assessment, their objective was to create fear and panic, attract attention about their cause, shutter our social standing, discourage investment and hopefully influence government decisions on safeguarding the country.”

[caption caption="IG Boinnet addressing the press on 14th March, 2018"][/caption]

On February 15, 2018, two of the suspected terrorists were arrested while another, Mbarak Abdi Huka, was killed after security officers engaged them in a shootout at their hideout in Merti, Isiolo County.

“One of the suspects alighted from the Mitsubishi Sports Car and engaged the officers in a gun battle. Our officers opened fire and killed him instantly,” stated the area OCPD at the time.

Police found 80kg of high-grade explosives in the vehicle the suspects were using.

They also recovered 1,000 bullets, 36 grenades, 18 IEDs, 5 AK-47 rifles and an assortment of other weapons.

Police believe the suspects are part of a bigger cell that was planning the attack.

[caption caption="Some of the weapons recovered from the terrorists"][/caption]

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