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Raids on Tanzanian police stations are terror related: President

Xinhua, March 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said on Monday recent tidal wave of raids on a number of police stations in the east African nation were terror related.

"The raids on police stations are related to criminal acts and terror attacks," Kikwete said in his end of month address to the nation.

He said for the past 12 months there had been raids on police stations where police officers on duty were killed, firearms were stolen and some stations were set on fire.

"Police and other security organs are investigating to establish the reasons behind these raids which have the hallmarks of terrorism," said Kikwete in his address which was broadcasted live by the country's national broadcaster.

He said a total of seven police officers were killed during the raids on police stations in Newala, Ikwiriri, Kimanzichana and Bukombe and a total of 41 firearms were stolen.

He said police have recovered 32 firearms out of the 41 stolen firearms and they have arrested 13 suspects in connection with the raids and the stolen firearms.

Kikwete paid tribute to the police, the Tanzania People's Defence Forces (TPDF) and other security organs for their bravery in confronting the criminals and recovering the firearms.

"You should double your efforts in eliminating these thugs who are wreaking havoc to peace loving Tanzanians," he said.

On the recent killings of people with albinism on witchcraft beliefs, Kikwete condemned the killings, saying they were done by uncultured people.

"People with albinism are human beings like others. They have the right to live like any other human beings. They are not supposed to live with fear," he said.

He said his government will continue doing all it could to make sure that the killings of people with albinism to be stopped once and for all.

The killings of people with albinism, which were often motivated by the use of body parts for ritual purposes, have claimed the lives of at least 76 people and 56 others have been injured in Tanzania since 2000. Endi