NISA asked to hand over report on jailed ex-Al-Shabaab spokesman's detention

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] has been asked to hand over a report on the arrest and subsequent detention of Mukhtar Robow, a former high-ranking Al-Shabaab operative within the federal republic of Somalia.

Interior Minister Abdullahi Nor asked acting NISA chief Abdullahi Farey to submit a comprehensive report on the detention of Mukhtar Robow, who served as Al-Shabaab deputy leader before quitting to join politics in the country.

In a letter, the Minister said he received contact from relatives and representatives concerned about Robow’s safety and well-being. This is the first time a senior government official is openly asking about the detention of Mukhtar Robow.

Robow was first arrested in 2018 after declaring his candidature for the Southwest presidential seat. He would not be allowed to appear in a ballot after outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo endorsed Abdiaziz Lafta-Gareen.

Chaos broke out in Baidoa, the regional administrative capital of Southwest as angry locals protested his ouster from the ballot. At least 11 people were shot and killed by security forces following the unprecedented confrontation.

Since then, Robow has remained in police custody under the supervision of NISA. To date, the government has never openly talked about his whereabouts. However, it is believed that he's still in police custody.

In October this year, Robow spoke to the media where he accused the government of plotting to kill him. However, the government did not clarify whether there are plans to eliminate the former Al-Shabaab deputy leader.