Police have confirmed that Abraham @ Ibrahim, one of the key leaders of Abu Sayyaf, was among the kidnappers shot dead by the General Operations Force (GOF) in the waters off Semporna on December 8.

“We found that Abraham was involved in a number of kidnapping cases after further investigation into the matter,” said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun.

“However, we are still conducting thorough investigation on Abraham’s involvement with the Abu Sayyaf which is believed to be an active player in kidnap-for-ransom activities,” he told a press conference after an official visit to the Kota Kinabalu police headquarters together with his deputy Datuk Razarudin Husain @ Abd Rasid, yesterday. Also present was city police chief ACP M. Chandra.

Commenting further on the rumours that the Abu Sayyaf will be launching a counter attack on Sabah, Rashid said the police are ready in facing any threats to the security and safety of the State.

“We are well-informed that in any gunfight that resulted in the death of either member, dissatisfaction will arise.

“But the move (releasing of gunfire) was made as a defense following incessant gunfire by them.

“Nonetheless, police together with other security agencies including the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Maritime Malaysia) and the Malaysian Army will not move from defending the country’s sovereignty,” he said.

He added that Sabah’s police contingent is constantly undergoing aggressive training to ensure preparedness in facing such threats.

In the meantime, Rashid complimented the Kota Kinabalu police’s performance in reducing crime rates for seven consecutive years, with this year seeing a 1.26 per cent drop compared to last year.

“Although the reduction is seen as small, Kota Kinabalu police performance is viewed as encouraging for being able to keep the rates in the decline for seven years in a row,” he said.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Amy Dangin

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