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U.S. Offers $5 Million Reward for Information on Al-Shabaab Commander Linked to 2010 Uganda Bombings

Storyline:Security, War on Al-Shabaab

GOOBJOOG NEWS | WASHINGTON: The United States Department of Justice has announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Abdikadir Mohamed Abdikadir, also known as Ikrima, and any individuals responsible for the 2010 terrorist bombings in Kampala, Uganda.

According to a statement from the U.S. Justice Department, on July 11, 2010, Al-Shabaab carried out suicide bombings at two locations in Kampala during the screening of the FIFA World Cup final, killing 76 people, including an American citizen.

The attacks marked the first major Al-Shabaab operations outside Somalia, with the first explosion hitting an Ethiopian restaurant in Kabalagala around 10:30 p.m., followed by a second blast around 11:20 p.m. at the Kyadondo Rugby Club in the Nakawa neighborhood.

Investigators believe Ikrima played a central role in planning and directing the attacks. He reportedly conducted surveillance in Kampala, selected the targets, trained the suicide bombers, and oversaw the transportation and preparation of explosives used in the attacks.

Ikrima is described as a senior figure within Al-Shabaab and has long been involved in coordinating regional operations for Al-Qaeda in East Africa, an organization the U.S. has designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) since March 2008. The United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions on the group in April 2010.

The U.S. says Al-Shabaab has been responsible for numerous deadly attacks across Somalia, Kenya, and neighboring countries, resulting in the deaths of thousands, including American nationals.

The U.S. is urging anyone with credible information about Ikrima, the 2010 Kampala bombings, or individuals involved in those attacks to contact the relevant authorities through secure Telegram, WhatsApp, or messaging hotlines. Informants may also be eligible for relocation and protection, in addition to the financial reward.

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