Monday July 28, 2025
Afgooye (HOL) – The Gaashaan Special Forces of the National
Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) apprehended two Al-Shabaab operatives
during a special operation in the town of Afgooye, in the Lower Shabelle
region, on Saturday night.
According to a government statement, one of the suspects was
a senior figure responsible for extorting money from civilians and businesses,
while the second was linked to the group’s intelligence wing, tasked with
gathering information on government forces and coordinating targeted
assassinations.
"NISA once again warns Somali businessmen and the
public not to pay any money to support Al-Shabaab, as this directly supports
armed groups that threaten the country’s security and the lives of its
citizens," the statement said.
The arrest of the militants is directly linked to an
official warning issued by NISA on July 20, 2025, which stated that the
collection and payment of extortion funds constitute terrorist financing, in
violation of national laws and international regulations on combating the
financing of terrorism.
NISA has urged all residents to promptly report any threats,
intimidation, or extortion attempts to the relevant security agencies.
The Federal Government of Somalia reaffirmed its unwavering
commitment to dismantling Al-Shabaab and ensuring the safety and security of
the Somali people.