US offers Sh1bn bounty on Shabaab mastermind

The US Department of State has announced $8 million (about Sh1.04 billion) reward for information leading to the capture of Abdikadir Mohamed Abdikadir, also known as Ikrima; a senior figure in the al-Shabaab militant group accused of orchestrating deadly attacks in Uganda and Kenya.

The bounty is split into two parts: $5 million (about Sh645 million) for information related to his role in the 2010 Kampala bombings and $3 million (about Sh388 million) for information regarding his coordination of the recruitment of Kenyan youth into al-Shabaab and his command of Kenyan fighters within the group in Somalia.

Abdikadir is accused of playing a pivotal role in planning and directing the coordinated suicide attacks that targeted crowds watching the World Cup final on July 11, 2010 between Spain and the Netherlands. The attacks hit two locations in the Ugandan capital, killing 76 people, including an American citizen. Al-Shabaab acknowledged bombings at the Ethiopian Village restaurant and the Kyadondo Rugby Club as retaliation for Uganda's military involvement in the African Union Mission in Somalia, now known as the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia.

Investigations into the attacks revealed a complex network across borders. The perpetrators were from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and the explosives were transported through Kenya. Security agencies from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, and FBI agents and the US Department of Justice helped nail 13 suspects, eight of whom were convicted of terrorism-related charges, while five were acquitted.

According to the US Department of State, Abdikadir trained and directed the key operatives and suicide bombers and facilitated the transport of the explosive vests used in the attacks.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) in Kenya has also linked Abdikadir to many acts of terror within the country, including attacks in Lamu. In a 2023 statement, the DCI appealed to the public for information on the suspect, describing him as trained, armed and dangerous. They stated that he is directly associated with the 2010 Kampala attacks as well as the Westgate Mall attack in Kenya on September 21, 2013. The DCI also noted that he had previously travelled to Mombasa, Nairobi and the North Eastern region.

Abdikadir, a dual citizen of Somalia and Norway, is a senior al-Shabaab leader who has served as head of operations and logistics and has directed previous attack planning for the group.

On August 6, 2021, the US Department of State designated Abdikadir as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. This designation blocks all of his property and interests subject to US jurisdiction and prohibits US persons from engaging in any transactions with him. The US appeal was issued under the Rewards for Justice programme, which focuses on terror-related leads globally.

“If you have information on these attacks, Abdikadir, or any other individuals involved in these bombings, contact us via Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp, or our Tor-based tips line,” the notice stated.