The police who also circulated a photo of Abdiwaahid Khalif Abdi alias Ise Tarabuun said the Somali national arrived in the country on Sept. 24 from neighboring Somalia.

The police have called on the public to be vigilant and report the whereabouts of the suspect to the nearest police station.

"Any person who has seen him or has information about him should also do the same immediately or contact us by calling our toll free lines 999,911,112," said the police in a statement.

Security officials said Abdi is reported to be a former top al-Shabab Amniyat in charge of Mogadishu until 2017 when he was arrested by authorities and later released in unclear circumstances.

The official said the Somali national who comes from Habargidir clan left Mogadishu via Salaam Airline heading towards Nairobi.

He was briefly interrogated at Mogadishu airport while waiting for his flight before he was allowed to travel.

The East African nation has been on the receiving end of al-Shabab terror attacks since October 2011 when its troops entered Somalia to fight the militant group.