Somali security chiefs sacked, soldiers arrested for failing to arrest killers

Somalia’s Internal Security Minister Mohamed Abukar Islow has sacked two security chiefs and ordered the arrest of twelve soldiers who witnessed an al Shabaab daylight shooting that killed two civilians.

On September 27, the Secretary-General of the Somali National Women Organisation Anab Abdullahi Hashi and the son of the organisation’s chairwoman were shot dead in broad daylight by gunmen near a security checkpoint in the Hamarweyne district.

The two senior officers who are commanders of the Hamarweyne police and intelligence unit were sacked days after for failing to produce the gunmen who perpetrated the attack at their post.

The 12 soldiers were also detained for not responding to the attack which is the latest against civilians claimed by Islamist group al Shabaab.

Security is beefed up by Somali security forces and African Union soldiers in the capital Mogadishu and neighbouring cities, yet al Shabaab carries out sporadic attacks.

This weekend, the local security forces and AMISOM forces have conducted joint operations to clear the capital of criminals.