Student with strange gadgets arrested over terrorism fears
 |
| Bruce Ndegwa, who was arrested on February 15, 2019 on suspicion of being a suicide bomber. PHOTO | CORRESPONDENT |
Police in Nyeri are holding a student on suspicion of being a suicide bomber. The youth was arrested near Dedan Kimathi University of Technology on Friday.
County Commissioner Fredrick Shisia said the suspect, identified as Bruce Ndegwa, was a tourism and hospitality student at Nyeri National Polytechnic.
The administrator said the student had unidentified electronic devices strapped on his body. The gadgets were around his stomach, waist and chest.
"He was found near the university entrance around 1.30pm. Officers on patrol arrested the young man and took him to Kabiruini police post," Mr Shisia said.
GRILLING
The suspected explosives had batteries and some parts of a radio. Bomb squad officers dismantled the objects and took the student for interrogation.
Mr Shisia said that upon interrogation, the student denied being on a terrorism mission and claimed the devices were body and skin toners.
He was handed over to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit.
LONER
The principal at his school, Ms Anne Mwangi, said she was not aware of the arrest while students described Mr Ndegwa as polite and introverted.
They said the third year student dropped out of school early in 2017 before resuming studies last year. He was last seen on Thursday.
“He rarely associates with other students or takes part in group work,” a student who requested anonymity said.
Mr Ndegwa, according to his classmates, was also known for missing classes and being reclusive.
“He does not seem committed to his studies. Recently, a lecturer told us that his conduct could affect our class performance. He does not live in the school hostels ... no one knows where he lives,” said another learner.
.jpg)
Post a Comment