Mombasa police kill alleged Kisauni gang leader

Special crime prevention unit officers in Kisauni yesterday shot and killed a man police described as a notorious gang leader linked to a series of robberies and killings.

Police said the suspect, popularly known as Dula alias Captain J, was gunned down yesterday morning in Kadongo area after a two-hour chase.

Kisauni police boss Julius Kiragu told The Standard a team of five police officers was mobilised after a tip off that the suspect had been spotted in the area with other four gang members.

He said a chase ensued and that when the gang was challenged to surrender Dula drew a machete, prompting the shooting.

Four other suspects are said to have escaped with gunshot injuries. Four machetes were recovered.

"Dula has featured in many robbery incidents in Kisauni," said Mr Kiragu.

Dula was linked to a recent attack on a Technical University student. The student was stabbed in the thigh. He was also linked to killing of another student some weeks ago, and a recent robbery, in which a mobile phone money agent was killed in Kadongo area.

Kiragu urged the public to report anyone with gunshot wounds to the police.

He warned medics in private clinics and hospitals against treating anyone with bullet wounds, saying the four who escaped might attempt to seek treatment.

One of the intelligence officers who had been trailing the gang leader said Dula was behind an attack of a church pastor, who was left with serious injuries by attackers targeting non-locals who refused to pay protection fees.