NISA detains suspected al‑Shabaab militants over alleged attack plots in Mogadishu, other regions

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has arrested 11 people accused of plotting terrorist attacks and conducting espionage against the government and civilians, the agency said Thursday, describing a covert cell disrupted in Mogadishu and across parts of Lower and Middle Shabelle.

In a statement, NISA said the suspects were allegedly in the advanced stages of planning violence and gathering intelligence to enable attacks. The arrests followed what the agency called a sophisticated, intelligence-driven operation in which teams tracked movements and intentions over an extended period. The individuals were detained separately, with several apprehended while allegedly engaging in terrorism-related activities, according to the agency.

NISA said all 11 suspects are in custody and undergoing interrogation. They will be transferred to the relevant judicial authorities to face prosecution for their alleged crimes, the statement added.

The government has intensified preemptive security operations in recent months, leaning on expanded intelligence capabilities to dismantle suspected terror networks before they strike. Mogadishu and the surrounding Shabelle corridors—key routes that link the capital to central and southern regions—have long been contested by armed groups and have seen recurrent insurgent activity.

NISA did not immediately identify the group with which the suspects are alleged to be affiliated and released no details about their identities, nationalities or any weapons or materials seized. The agency also did not provide a timeline for the arrests, beyond indicating that the detentions followed prolonged surveillance.

Somalia’s security services have sought to break up clandestine cells that rely on surveillance, coercion and local knowledge to plan attacks. Intelligence-led raids of the kind described by NISA typically involve coordinated monitoring, communication intercepts and the use of informant networks to map cell hierarchies and logistics, with the aim of preventing bombings or targeted assassinations before they materialize.

While details were scarce, the arrests underscore the strategic shift Somali authorities have emphasized—moving from reactive responses after attacks to proactive disruption. If the allegations are substantiated in court, the detentions would mark a significant setback to any plot targeting the capital and surrounding districts, where civilians and public officials have been frequent targets of violence.

Rights advocates and legal analysts often stress the importance of transparent judicial proceedings in security cases, including timely charges, access to counsel and adherence to due process. NISA said the suspects would be handed to prosecutors, but provided no further information about court venues or expected timelines.

Authorities urged the public to continue sharing information about suspicious activity with security services as part of broader efforts to stabilize the capital and restore normalcy to key economic and transport corridors through Lower and Middle Shabelle.

• What NISA says happened: 11 suspects accused of plotting terror attacks and espionage were arrested after prolonged surveillance.
• Where: Mogadishu, with operations extending into Lower and Middle Shabelle.
• How: Intelligence-led raids; several suspects allegedly caught while engaging in terrorism-related activities.
• What’s next: Interrogations underway; NISA says the suspects will be transferred to judicial authorities for prosecution.

The government’s campaign relies on intelligence sharing across security agencies and local administrations, reflecting a broader effort to weaken the operational reach of insurgent cells that exploit urban density and rural terrain alike. Thursday’s announcement signals continued pressure on covert networks and a bid to reassure the public that authorities are acting before plots become attacks.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.