The escape of fugitive Daniel Abed Khalife from Wandsworth prison has left authorities baffled and searching for answers. Despite receiving more than 50 calls from the public, there have been no confirmed sightings of Khalife since his escape. The 21-year-old former soldier managed to make his getaway by clinging onto straps underneath a food truck while dressed in a chef’s uniform. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, revealed that the Bidfood delivery vehicle was stopped by police an hour and five minutes after leaving the prison. However, it is still a mystery as to where Khalife may be hiding.
Commander Murphy described the situation as “a little unusual” and credited Khalife’s escape to his ingenuity and resourcefulness. Despite the busy area of London where the escape took place, the lack of confirmed sightings has raised concerns. Khalife’s background as a trained soldier has also caused Commander Murphy to emphasize the need for utilizing all available resources to locate him. With more than 150 counterterrorism officers and staff focusing their efforts in the Kingston and Staffordshire areas, the manhunt continues.
Khalife’s escape did not happen by chance. According to Commander Murphy, it was clear that the fugitive had planned his escape meticulously. Clinging onto the straps of the delivery vehicle and managing to evade detection for an extended period of time demonstrates the resourcefulness and determination of Khalife. As a former member of the Royal Signals, he possessed valuable military skills that gave him an advantage in executing his escape plan.
As authorities continue their search for Khalife, they are also investigating whether he had any assistance in his escape. No arrests have been made thus far, leaving a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the potential presence of accomplices. The details of the route taken by the van have been revealed, shedding light on the timeline of events. The van left Wandsworth prison at 7.32am, and Khalife was officially declared missing at 7.50am. The police were notified at 8.15am and managed to stop the van at 8.37am as it was returning to the prison. Although Khalife was not found, the authorities discovered the straps he had used to cling onto the vehicle, further highlighting his resourcefulness.
Khalife was on remand awaiting trial for various charges, including leaving fake bombs at a military base, which is a charge under the Terrorism Act, as well as another charge under the Official Secrets Act. His disappearance has prompted increased security checks at major UK airports and ports to prevent any potential escape from the country. The possibility of Khalife already leaving the country has not been ruled out, adding another layer of complexity to the manhunt.
As the search for Daniel Abed Khalife continues, it becomes evident that his clever escape and resourcefulness have made the task of capturing him much more challenging. The authorities must employ all available means and resources to locate and apprehend him. Meanwhile, the public remains alert, hoping for any leads that could assist in bringing this fugitive to justice.