DPP Haji Opens up on Receiving Terror Threats From Al Shabaab

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Noordin Haji, has opened up on being marked and targeted by the Al Shabaab terror group.

Speaking during an interview on Spice FM, on Friday, November 5, Haji revealed that according to the intelligent reports released following the 2013 Westgate attack, he was among the top individuals targeted.

His late father, Senator Yusuf Haji, and his brother and the current Garissa Senator, Abdulkadir Haji, were also on the Al Shabaab watchlist.

DPP Noordin Haji During an Interview on Spice FM Radio on Friday, November 5

Spice FM Radio Twitter Page

“If you look at the intelligence reports that were released during the 2013 (Westgate attack), my family and I were targeted by Al Shabaab,” he stated.

He added that the group has continued to threaten them to date because of the work that he is doing.

“Al Shabaab continues to say that they will deal with us, as a family and as an individual, because of the work that we did.”

“I have been threatened even in this job by individuals who felt that my decisions, either to charge or not to charge, was not favourable.”

Haji, however, noted that he is not bothered by the threats and he will continue delivering on his mandate.

“This is part of the work. I knew that this would be part of the territory and if I was to ensure and try to stick to the constitution, then, that threat would escalate but I am ready for that,” Haji maintained.

His brother, who is the current Garissa Senator, was named a hero following the Westgate attack.

Abdul Haji, speaking to the international media, stated that he was at a meeting when he received a text from his brother saying that something was happening at Westgate and he was trapped inside.

“It looked like a goodbye message, so I immediately made my way there,” he remarked.

At that time, their father was the Defense Minister, and together with his brother had earlier opened up about receiving death threats.

After rushing to the Westgate, he helped give cover to Red Cross rescuers as they tried to reach injured survivors in a vehicle.

He was in the mall for over three hours rescuing those trapped and he was feted for his courageous act.

DPP Haji took office in 2018 and since then his work has been characterised by a myriad of challenges including the recent push among some quotas to oust him.

Garissa Senator Abdul Haji During the 2013 Westgate Attack in Nairobi

BBC

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