Intelligence experts say there has been two sightings of her in the lawless African country since the Westgate mall massacre in Nairobi
Fugitive terror suspect Samantha Lewthwaite has been spotted travelling through Somalia, sparking fears she is plotting an attack with al-Shabaab fanatics.
Intelligence experts claim there has been two sightings of the White Widow in the lawless African country since the gang’s Westgate mall massacre in Nairobi, Kenya, seven weeks ago.
The 29-year-old from Aylesbury, Bucks, was reportedly seen at the north eastern city of Qardho, in Somalia’s volatile Puntland Province.
Two weeks earlier, an informant is said to have spotted her in Baidoa, a south eastern city. Officials warn the mum-of-four still poses a serious threat.
A security source said: “These two sightings are believed to be the most credible intelligence received in months concerning Samantha Lewthwaite’s whereabouts.
"Her contacts have allowed her to stay in hiding and move quickly between areas, but one day there will be nowhere left for her to hide.”
A senior intelligence insider added: “Every informant in the East Africa and Middle East regions are being tapped for information. Any crumb of evidence is being used to locate her.
“The threat Samantha Lewthwaite poses is real and dangerous.”
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Officials fear she could be trying to travel to Yemen where she is thought to have spent time in the past with extremist preachers including al-Qaeda’s most prolific recruiter, Anwar al-Awlaki. The area is also controlled by al-Shabaab, a radical Islamist group.
Lewthwaite, named the world’s most wanted woman, has been on the run for two years after being linked to a failed bomb 2011 plot to blow up hotels and a mall in Mombasa.
The plan was foiled when her accomplice, Brit bomb maker Jermaine Grant, 30, was arrested and charged with terror offences.
Former British soldier’s daughter Lewthwaite was interviewed at her Mombasa home by Kenyan police but fooled them by handing over fake ID papers. Hours later she fled the city with her children and has been in hiding ever since.
It is believed the Muslim convert, who was married to 7/7 London suicide bomber Germaine Lindsay, has altered her appearance, losing more than two stone, changing her hair colour regularly and possibly having plastic surgery.
She is believed to be a vital link between al-Qaeda cells in Pakistan and Africa. It is thought informants in the group have been offered huge rewards to help find her.
Mirror.co.uk
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