MOGADISHU – The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has brought two suspects to Mogadishu who were arrested in the Kaxandhaale and Balihowd areas of the Galgadud region, as part of ongoing efforts to enforce security agreements reached during a recent peace conference in Balanballe.
The suspects, identified as Abdi Mohamed Ahmed and Dahir Tahliil Cigaal, were apprehended while armed with AK-47 rifles. Their transfer to Mogadishu follows orders from NISA Director Mahad Mohamed Salad and is in line with resolutions adopted during the Balanballe peace conference, where local authorities, traditional elders, and community members agreed to take firm legal action against anyone found carrying illegal weapons or involved in acts of insecurity and incitement to conflict.
The arrests are part of a broader security drive in the Galgadud region, where NISA Director Mahad Salad has been conducting visits to address clan conflicts and strengthen security. Salad has emphasised the impact that clan conflicts have on the wider Galmudug region, their role in creating insecurity, and how they disrupt the movement and interaction of local communities.
Implementation of Balanballe Peace Agreements
The arrests follow a series of consultations by the NISA Director in the Galgadud region, where the administration, traditional elders, and communities under the Guriceel and Balanballe districts agreed to take decisive legal action against anyone carrying illegal weapons or involved in destabilising activities.
Salad has previously visited Guriceel to bolster security and community relations, holding meetings with district administration officials, civil society representatives, and security agencies to accelerate security plans and enhance cooperation between security forces and the community.
Crackdown on Illegal Weapons in Galgadud
The operation is part of NISA’s broader efforts to strengthen security, stabilise communities, prevent the spread of illegal weapons, and curb clan conflicts in the Galgadud region. The agency has been working closely with local authorities and traditional leaders to enforce security agreements and maintain public order.
Neighbouring Hiiraan region has also experienced deadly clan clashes, highlighting the broader security challenges facing central Somalia. The NISA Director’s engagement with local communities is intended to foster cooperation and prevent the escalation of such conflicts.
Way Forward
The suspects are expected to be handed over to judicial authorities for legal proceedings. The transfer of the two armed men to Mogadishu reflects the federal government’s determination to enforce the rule of law and prevent the proliferation of illegal weapons in Galgadud. As the region continues to recover from years of instability, the combination of community engagement and law enforcement will be essential to maintaining peace and security.
