Somalia: Prison chief suspended after Al-Shabaab inmates jail break attempt

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Federal Government of Somalia has suspended the prison chief after an attempted jailbreak over the weekend, which left three prison warders dead and five militants who organized the escape in Vail, officials said on Monday.

The Somalia central prison chief Brigadier General Dahir Abdulle Rageh was suspended, pending an investigation following the jailbreak attempt by militant inmates on July 13, authorities confirmed, noting that investigations have commenced.

The Somali government has appointed an eight-member committee to investigate the incident. Gen. Mohamed Hussein Ahmed is the acting prison chief and will lead the investigation after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud promised thorough investigations.

Before this development, Custodial Corps Commander, General Mahad Abdirahman Adan Monday announced a posthumous honor for a Mogadishu guard prison guard who died in duty during the recent attempted escape from the central prison.

Mr. Hassan Hussein Rage was recognized after refusing to hand over the key to the main gate as the suspected militants tried to escape from prison. He, however, died after tussles within the facility over the weekend.

In the ensuing melee, Rage threw the keys outside the prison’s walls, thwarting the attempt by the militants to gain control of the facility and escape.

“There are soldiers who died there, and we will erect a monument to honor them. Hassan Hussein Rage’s actions during the attack were crucial in preventing a larger disaster,” the commander said.

Adding, “He had the keys and threw them outside (of the prison) and was shot. This man sacrificed his life for the country. His bravery will be recognized with a posthumous promotion and the construction of a monument in his honour within the prison grounds.”

The al-Shabaab usually stages such attacks within prison when trying to release those locked up for various criminal offenses forcefully. Jailbreaks are occasionally reported in Somalia according to reports, with the militants often accused of plotting the incidents.

GAROWE ONLINE