MANDERA—Kenyan authorities are holding a leading Al Shabab official following his surrender at a small town in Wajir County, North Eastern Kenya.
Yussuf Maalim Noor alias Yussuf Nur Aden alias Fanah surrendered Saturday at Kutulo District, north of Wajir County to the local police station through clan elders. In mid last year, the Interior minister Joseph Nkaissery, while addressing the nation, said the government would offer amnesty to Kenya who are members of Al Shabab if they would give up themselves to the government. A number of Kenyans have since returned, but Yussuf Moalim is the most senior members who has since surrendered.
Speaking to Citizen TV on the phone, Mohamed Sheikh, a senior police superintendent, confirmed the surrender of Maalim, saying he was alone and unarmed. He added that he collaborated in providing required information concerning the group’s activities.
According to Kenyan authorities, Mohamed Sheikh was a top commander in charge of carrying out guerrilla warfare and was an Amniyat operative, the intelligence outfit of the group.
“Yussuf Maalim Noor will be taken to Garissa Town for debriefing by Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence service officials,” an official confirmed to Kulan Post.
According to intelligence reports, Yussuf Maalim Noor “is cooperating well with government officials and has provided critical information that could help Kenya’s in the war on terrorism.”
