A Form Four student who disappeared from Isiolo Boys High School a fortnight ago has been traced to Somalia.

Police said he might have joined a radical group and that his sneaking to the war-torn country confirmed intelligence reports that extremists were targeting students.

Police Spokesperson Zipporah Mboroki Thursday said a phone call that the boy made to his family a week after he disappeared showed that he was in Somalia.

Anti-terrorism detectives had visited the school and recorded statements from teachers, students and his family.

He was last seen at the school on October 6, but the parents reported his disappearance on October 14.

RADICALISED

Police said he could have been radicalised.

“The revelation increases the number of schools being investigated over fears that students are being radicalised.

“We advise both the teachers and parents to be vigilant and ready to spot signs of radicalisation,” said Ms Mboroki.

The student disappeared on October 6 but the school administration did not inform the police. His parents learnt about it a week later and reported the matter to police.

According to Isiolo Police Commander Daniel Kamanza, the boy later called and informed his family that he was undergoing Islamic training in Somalia and that they “would never see him again”.

He had called using a number with country code +252, which is Somalia’s, said Ms Mboroki.

A recent African intelligence chiefs’ meeting in Nairobi was told that poverty and unemployment were driving youths to join extremist groups.

Source: Daily Nation