Key member of Muktadir brothers kidnap gang nabbed

KOTA KINABALU: A key member of the notorious Muktadir brothers known as Kadafi is believed to have been captured by the Philippine police, literally by accident.

Kadafi Kamsa, a member of the cross-border kidnap-for-ransom group, was arrested in a hospital in Jolo when he was taken there after an accident on Saturday, according to Philippine sources.

It is believed that Kadafi was using an alias, Amin Maing, when both the Philippine military and police arrested him. Kadafi, who is believed to be involved in the recent kidnapping of Malaysian Bernard Then, remains under police watch at the hospital and is being held for dangerous driving and possession of firearms.

It is learned that two other accomplices of Kadafi managed to flee when the police and military officials turned up.

However, Philippine sources said he might be released as he is not on the wanted list in the Philippines although they are aware that the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) has him on the wanted list for kidnap-for-ransom cases.

Joint Task Force Sulu Brig-Gen Alan Arrojado said Kadafi was believed to be involved in several kidnapping cases in Malaysia.

The trio involved in the accident were believed to be taking orders from Alhabsy Misahaya, a key Abu Sayyaf leader behind most of the cross-border kidnappings in Sabah.

Earlier in May, another of the Muktadir brother known as Mindas was killed in Jolo by police a few days after a kidnapping in Sandakan. On Friday, another Abu Sayyaf rebel Saddam Jailani, who is believed to be involved in Then’s beheading, was arrested in Jolo.