Situation in Tanga Region under control, say Police

By: Unknown on 1:00 AM

Advera Senso

The police force have called upon the public to be calm as the battle with the armed group continues at Mikocheni Falls located at Amboni Village in Tanga Region.

 

The incident which happened on Friday turned the place into a war zone when Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) soldiers in collaboration with the police fought with the armed group that left one soldier dead, four others and two police officers injured.

 

In an interview with The Guardian yesterday, police force spokesperson, Advera Senso said that the public should not worry as the force is working tirelessly to control the situation.

 

“We will give further details on the matter once we are done with the work…..as for now we are still trying our very best to control the situation,” she stressed.

 

She said that they should be left to contain the situation at the moment. 

An official from TPDF who preferred anonymity told this paper that they have no mandate to inform the public on what is going on.

According to the source, the operation is for the police and they are the ones authorised to provide details on the matter.

 

“TPDF were just called to intervene after the police force saw there is need for us to assist them fight the armed gang … but we have no authority to detail any information to the public,” it said.

 

When reached for comment concerning the four soldiers and two police officers who had been injured at the battle line, Tanga Regional Medical Officer, Asha Mahita declined to provide information on the officers.

“I cannot provide any information as this is a ‘ particular and special’ incidence …seek more clarification from the police who will be in a position to give you more details,” she lamented.

 

When reached by phone the  Commissioner of Operations and Training in the police force, Paul Chagonja was answered by his assistant, saying that Chagonja was in a meeting.

 

“The commissioner is in a Defence and Security Committee meeting right now…call after 1700 hours for more details,” he said.

Until we went to press, the police were not yet in a position to give more information on the matter that has left the citizenry especially in the concerned area in fear.

 

On Saturday, three suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, the police said.

 

The incident happened at Mikocheni Falls located at Amboni Village in Tanga Region that turned into a war zone on Friday when Tanzania People’s Defense Forces (TPDF) soldiers in collaboration with police battled an armed group in which four combatants and two police officers were injured. 

 

Sources from the scene informed The Guardian that it was most likely the armed group was an offshoot of Al-Shabaab terrorist group.

 

According to sources, police officers went to the area on Friday at around 11 am to search for firearms believed to have been hidden at the caves only to be ambushed by armed gang.

 

It would be recalled that on January 20, this year unknown people  assaulted police officers who were on patrol in Tanga City and got away with two shotguns and 60 rounds of ammunition.

 

Having noticed that police had underestimated the power of the gunmen they retreated before asking for help from Tanzania People’s Defense Forces ( TPDF) soldiers who stormed the area the same day at around 2 pm. 

 

However, speaking through his mobile phone, Commissioner of Operations and Training in the Police Force Paul Chagonja denounced the claims, informing this newspaper that the armed group consisted of armed robbers.

 

“We cannot substantively confirm that the armed individuals belong to Al-Shabaab group simply because after a thorough search at their hideout we only found motorcycles, clothes and items that we believe were stolen from nearby residents,” Chagonja said.