Somalia: Puntland caretaker Police Chief takes over following Bossaso shootout

GAROWE, Somalia-Newly-appointed interim Police Commissioner Abdulkadir Farah Shire (Ereg) has taken over from outgoing predecessor Abdirizak Mohamud Yusuf whom PuntlandPresident sacked on May 15 for deadly Bossaso shootout, Garowe Online reports. 

Nugal Governor, regional police commander and other security officials attended a handover ceremony at police headquarters in the State capital of Garowe on Sunday. 

Former Police Boss Yusuf presented his achievements that included enhanced trainings and number of state police officers shrunk from 3755 to 3525.  

In a final punch, he criticized officials at Finance Ministry—including minister and his deputy—for their failure to track and adjust budget for the exact figure. 

He also demanded security officials holding grudges against others waive their anger and forgive each other. 

Incoming Police Commander-in-Chief Shire who served as a deputy for the last three months promised to add to the progress made so far.  

President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali named Yusuf in August 2015 but relieved him of duties in mid-May after he was implicated in a deadly crossfire of shootout that left Security Minister Abdi Hirsi Ali (Qarjab) wounded. 

Ali said, the major shakeup of security brass is a key step to implementing a package of security reforms.

GAROWEONLINE