US offers Sh2.7bn bounty for six Shabaab operatives

Those wanted include Mahad Karate, also known as Abdirahman Mohammed Warsame who is blamed for the assassinations of 148 people, many of them students in the university attack/FILE

Those wanted include Mahad Karate, also known as Abdirahman Mohammed Warsame who is blamed for the assassinations of 148 people, many of them students in the university attack.

Warsame is wanted alongside Abu Ubaidah, also known as Diriye who was named the leader of Al Shabaab in September when Ahmed Abdi Mohammed Godane was killed.

“The US Secretary of State has authorised rewards of up to $6 million for information on the whereabouts of Abu Ubaidah (Direye), up to $5 million each for information on Mahad Karate, Ma’alim Daud, and Hassan Afgooye, and up to $3 million each for information on Maalim Salman and Ahmed Iman Ali,” a statement posted on the US Department of State website said.

The four others are Maalim Daud, Hassan Afgooye, Maalim Salman and Ahmed Iman Ali – all wanted for roles of recruiting Kenyan youths into Al Shabaab and kidnapping foreigners to demand ransom for terror activities.

Profiles of the wanted terrorists are listed as follows: Abu Ubaidah, also known as Direye, was named the leader of Al Shabaab on September 6, 2014, after the death of former Al Shabaab emir Ahmed Abdi aw-Mohamed (aka Godane).

Mahad Karate, also known as Abdirahman Mohamed Warsame has played a key role in the wing of Al Shabaab responsible for assassinations and the April 2 attack on Garissa University College.

Ma’alim Daud is responsible for Al Shabaab’s planning, recruitment, training, and operations against the government of Somalia and Western targets.

Hassan Afgooye oversees a complex financial network whose activities range from fake charities, and fundraising to racketeering and kidnapping in support of Al Shabaab’s activities.

Maalim Salman leads Al Shabaab’s African foreign terrorist fighters and has been involved in operations in Africa targeting tourists, entertainment establishments, and churches.

Ahmed Iman Ali has recruited Kenyan youth and raised funds for Al Shabaab.

About The Author

BERNARD MOMANYI

Bernard is the News Editor at Capital FM. He commands over a decade of experience in news gathering having worked in both print and electronic media. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Sciences (Moi University) and Master of Arts in Communication Studies-Development Communication (University of Nairobi).

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