Boko Haram fighters in Cameroon. Photo/ saharareporters.com
Reports have emerged of a new criminal group in Likoni that has been claiming allegiance to Nigerian’s militant group Boko Haram.
Investigations conducted by Baraka FM revealed that the gang mainly comprises of persons aged between 18 and 28 years. The local daily also found out that the gang has been holding a series of meetings at Barabara mchanga along the Likoni-Ukunda road.Efforts by the journalists to interview the gang were initially met with resistance, but one of the members later on agreed to shed more light about their activities in the area. The young man, who only identified himself as Mohamed, said the gang has already recruited 20 members and plans to recruit more, adding that they pay allegiance to Boko Haram.“We are about 20 members as per now. All are male and energetic youth, we are still young but we are pledging allegiance to Nigerian Boko Haram group, they are our brothers,” he said. Mohamed also said that they are not linked to any other criminal gang in Mombasa, because the group has a different mission. “We are not affiliated to any group, our agenda is different from those you are talking about, we are only pushing for our rights,” he added.On his part, Likoni police chief Willy Simba said that security personnel in the area are yet to receive information about the activities of the criminal gang, adding that they will conduct investigations over the same. Concerns have been raised over the emergence of criminal gangs in Likoni and Mombasa as a whole, Some of the most feared gangs in the area include Wakali Wao, Wakali Kwanza and the Young Thugs gangs.