As Inspector General of Police Said Mwema told a news conference about the arrests, President Jakaya Kikwete ordered the police to use all their resources in hunting down the killers and ensure they face the full force of the law.
The President also instructed the IGP to work closely with other security organs, including those in neighbouring countries, in investing the killing of the priest which he termed as intolerable.
He extended condolences to Bishop Augustino Shayo of the Catholic Diocese of Zanzibar following the death of Father Mushi.
Minister for Home Affairs Emmanuel Nchimbi yesterday inspected the scene of where the killing and declared that it was “a terrorist attack.”
“The attack on religious leaders in Zanzibar amount to acts of terrorism,” he declared.
Eyewitnesses said two people riding on a motorbike called by name the priest, who was quite close to his church; when he pulled down the window of his car, the riders shot him three times in the head as he was near to the church.
Bishop John Mfoi of the Catholic Church in Zanzibar said doctors removed two cartridges from the head of the priest, adding that the doctors were still looking for the third cartridge.
Most shops in Zanzibar were closed yesterday as the situation remained tense.
Zanzibar President Dr Ali Mohamed Shein convened a cabinet meeting to discuss the volatile situation.
Addressing the news conference, Mr Mwema said a team of crime busters from police headquarters in Dar es Salaam was yesterday dispatched to Zanzibar to team up with their colleagues in hunting down the assassins.
He said Fr Mushi was blocked by gunmen yesterday morning at the entrance of the church, adding that one of the attackers shot the priest in the head.
Mr Mwema said following the killing of Fr Mushi and the recent occurrence of other such incidents and the burning of churches and mosques, the police force in collaboration with other security organs have begun an extensive investigation aimed at netting people involved in the grisly incidents.
He said the team dispatched to Zanzibar will be headed by three police commissioners from police headquarters.
He named them as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Samson Kasala, Assistant Commissioner of Police Peter Kivuyo who will deal with collecting intelligence information and Senior Commissioner of Police Simon Sirro who will deal with special police operations.
Mr Mwema said police have strengthened their patrol across the country to monitor people’s behaviour and arrest all who are inciting, providing fund, and promote people to engage in crime and violence.
He appealed to the public to stay calm as police were working round the clock in hunting down the criminals.
Mr Mwema refuted accusations by some quarters the assassins of Fr Mushi and others involved in religious riots across the country were connected to al-Qaeda, the global militant Islamist terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden calling for global Jihad and a strict interpretation of sharia law.
source:thecitizen.co.t:
No comments:
Post a Comment