Nairobi-based NIS officer shot and killed in Mombasa

Coast Region Commander Robert Kitur holds a photo of a suspect, Ismael Mohamed, who was allegedly involved in the murder of NIS officer Hashim Salman Ali. (Photo: Kelvin Karani/Standard)

Mombasa, Kenya: Masked gunmen shot and killed a National Intelligence Service (NIS) officer Thursday night as he emerged from a mosque in Mombasa's Old Town, sparking fears of a return of targeted assassination of security agents and moderate imams in the coastal city.

Mombasa police have not stated the probable motive of the attack but blame the killing on a suspect who allegedly walks around clad in flowing female Muslim robes or buibui to conceal a gun.