Samantha Lewthwaite spotted in Somalia amid fears she is plotting new atrocity with Al-Shabaab

By Bernard Sanga

Puntland, Somalia: Fugitive terror suspect Samantha Lewthwaite has been sighted in Somalia’s Puntland region and is believed to be planning to enter Yemen to join al-Qaeda linked terrorists, according to the UK’s Mirror paper.

Samantha or the White Widow, as she is commonly known, was reportedly seen in the city of Qardho of Puntland two weeks after informants alleged they had seen her in South Central city of Baidoa in Somalia.

Seven weeks ago, the White Widow, who allegedly lived in Mombasa and Nairobi for years, was believed to have participated or masterminded the September 21 terrorist attack at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi.

The alleged sightings of the most-wanted woman on earth follow recent intelligence reports that Al-Shabaab could be plotting new attacks in the country. On May 5, a policeman was shot and killed in Kisauni, Mombasa. Detectives are pursuing terrorist leads in the killing following Facebook postings praising the murder.

Intelligence

“Fugitive terror suspect Samantha Lewthwaite has been spotted - travelling through Somalia, sparking fears she is plotting an attack with Al-Shabaab fanatics,” says the statement on Mirror online.

A security source is quoted in the Mirror saying: “These two sightings are believed to be the most credible intelligence received in months concerning Samantha’s whereabouts.

A senior intelligence insider is also quoted saying: “Every informant in the East Africa and Middle East regions are being tapped for information.”