Four Arrested in Dar es Salaam Following Robbery and Assault Incident
Dar es Salaam. The Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police has arrested four individuals currently under interrogation for alleged robbery, assault, and looting of road users.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, January 8, 2026, by Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Jumanne Muliro, the incident occurred at approximately 2:40pm in the Mabwepande area of Kinondoni District, along the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor.
"A group of people, most of whom were riding motorcycles and some armed with machetes, carried out acts of robbery and looting while carrying the coffin of the deceased, identified as Ibrahimu Elia, a resident of Mabwepande," Commander Muliro stated.
The late Elia was allegedly killed on Friday, January 2, 2026, in the Bunju area after being attacked by residents who accused him of involvement in motorcycle robberies in the Goba area.
During the incident, four people were robbed of their belongings and several others sustained injuries.
The victims included Japhet Kalanga (41), a businessman and Mabwepande resident, who suffered a head injury and was robbed of his mobile phone.
Joshua Leguna (26), also a Mabwepande resident, sustained injuries to the nose and right arm and was robbed of his mobile phone and Sh20,000 in cash.
Abas Mdoe (34), a hospital engineer at Mabwepande Hospital, was robbed of his mobile phone and Sh1 million, while Maria Lameck (28), a businesswoman and Mabwepande resident, lost her mobile phone and Sh100,000.
Police managed to quickly restore order by firing warning shots into the air, which led to the arrest of several suspects.
"After the situation stabilized, the deceased’s relatives proceeded with burial arrangements and the deceased was laid to rest at the Mabwepande cemetery, with security returning to normal," Muliro confirmed.
The Police Force has reminded citizens to continue obeying the laws of the country, emphasizing that strict legal action will be taken against anyone who violates them.
