In the wake of a resurgence of criminal gangs captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV) in broad daylight terrorising residents, Mvita Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Ahmed Mohamud has said they have tightened the noose on criminals, arresting over 163 over the weekend.
On Saturday, a three-man gang wielding pangas who rode on a motorcycle were captured on CCTV in Moons area, Tononoka Ward, robbing a man. They later sped off to the stadium area and committed the same atrocity.
Admittedly, DCC Mohamud said the incidents had happened within Mombasa town, and the Sub-County Security and Intelligence Committee met and devised strategies for flushing out all the criminal gangs in the CBD.
On Saturday night, two operations were conducted, one spearheaded by Police Officers from Makupa Police Station, where 24 criminals were arrested and are set to be arraigned in court today.
Another operation was multi-agency with Officers from the Central Police Station, the DCI, the Administration, and the County Inspectorate.
“We managed to arrest 75 suspected criminals, and they were put into custody at Central Police Station waiting to be arraigned in court today,” stated the DCC, adding that 64 criminals were apprehended on Sunday.
The influx of street families, the DCC noted, has exacerbated the situation as criminals’ disguise as street families to mug residents. At night, they have turned the Makadara ground into their home.
“We don’t have a place to take and rehabilitate them, but we are still in talks with the County Government,” stated the DCC.
More operations are in the offing, said the DCC, assuring residents of their safety, calling on the public to provide evidence and formally lodge their complaints in police stations.
“If the case has no complaint, that case is already dismissed because there’s no complainant,” he said.
Members of the public were urged to provide intelligence information to the authorities so the police can arrest criminals so that they don’t continue to wreak havoc.
He requested the residents and leaders to support the security efforts that will make the city a peace haven.
“We are strengthening our intelligence operations, and any information that we get, even if it is not true, we have to analyse and maybe go to that place,” stated the DCC, promising to enhance raids to drug dens where criminals usually meet.
The DCC said they plan to meet with Boda Boda leadership to ensure all riders have valid documents to weed out criminals from the vibrant sector.
On Saturday, the Mombasa County Government launched a crackdown on street urchins and street families who have been a nuisance to residents.
Lately, the Port City of Mombasa has witnessed a surge in street families who have jammed all the major streets in the CBD to the chagrin of pedestrians and shoppers.
By Sadik Hassan
