Conflicting reports indicated that Sheikh Ahmed Sharif Sheikh, believed to be second in command to UIC leader Sheikh Hassan Aweys, was captured in a remote location near Dadaab refugee camp.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the Islamist commander was arrested at a road block in Damajale location, while heading to the United Nations High Commissioner for refugee camps in Dadaab division.
Sources claimed that the Islamist leader was travelling in a tinted Toyota Land Cruiser and was picked by Kenyan authorities and briefly put in custody at the UNHCR sub office.
Other reports however alleged that the Islamist leader voluntarily surrendered to Kenyan officials at the border and requested for asylum status through the refugee agency.
Although Sheikh Sharif reportedly resigned from the command of the defeated UIC, he was perceived to be most influential and powerful member of the militia force.
Sharif was also among the 90 members of the Shura council of eminent leaders who acted as the interim parliament of Somalia during the six months the court controlled the anarchic horn of Africa nation.
He was also the head of the eight-man decision making committee at the helm of the religious uprising.
Garissa district commissioner Mr Joseph Imbwaga, said rumours over the arrest were rife in town but promised to brief the press after getting in touch with the local district officer Mr James Ogola.
After the defeat of al Itihad Al Islamiya in the mid 90s, Sheikh Sharif was instrumental in the formation of the shari’a courts and eventually became the spiritual leader of the religious outfit.
Although the courts gained overwhelming public support at the initial stages, some moderate Muslims felt oppressed when the justice mechanism outlawed consumption of Khat (Miraa) a favourite pass time drug.
And in early 2004, these court folded into an umbrella organisation and constituted a militia force to enforce the authority of the justice arm of the Sharia law.
Mid last year Sheikh Sharif however stepped down for Sheikh Aweys following the union’s victory before the union came tumbling down after the invasion by Ethiopian soldiers on Christmas eve.
He told journalists at his office that local police chief Mr Johnstone Limo was headed for the refugee camp to ascertain the arrest since most of the officers on the ground were out of communication reach.
However independent sources said a military helicopter was deployed to pick and relocate the presumed arrested leader to Nairobi for further interrogation.
Members of the North-eastern security and intelligence committee led by the provincial commissioner Kiritu Wamae, flew to Dadaab refugee camp where the leader was being held fanning speculation over the abrupt mission in the area.
