MOGADISHU — The commander of the Banadir Regional Police Force, Mahdi Omar Mumin, on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to tighten security across Mogadishu as residents report a surge in mobile phone robberies and attacks by armed bandits, authorities said.
Senior police officers briefed Mumin on recent security incidents reported in multiple districts and outlined both ongoing and planned operations aimed at curbing robberies — with an emphasis on mobile phone thefts carried out by armed groups. The session assessed recent trends and risks and reviewed how patrols and enforcement strategies could be calibrated to deter street-level crime.
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“The meeting focused on strengthening security, increasing the vigilance of the forces, and preventing activities that could damage the reputation of the Police,” the Banadir Regional Police Force said in a statement.
Mumin instructed officers to intensify security measures citywide, enhance vigilance in high-risk areas and take firm action against criminal groups threatening the safety of residents, according to the statement.
The meeting followed rising complaints from residents in several districts over escalating mobile phone robberies and armed attacks. While the police did not disclose specific operational details, Wednesday’s directive signals a focus on immediate, visible measures to reassure the public and disrupt criminal activity.
According to the police statement and officials’ briefings to the commander, the priorities include:
- Increasing uniformed presence and vigilance in hotspot areas
- Coordinating targeted operations against armed groups linked to robberies
- Responding quickly to incident reports across districts
- Preventing activities that could undermine public confidence in the police
Mobile phone robberies — often fast, opportunistic and difficult to investigate without timely reporting — have emerged as a particular concern in recent weeks, drawing scrutiny to how quickly police can respond to incidents and whether resources are aligned with shifting crime patterns. The police leadership framed the crackdown as both a deterrent to criminal groups and a step to restore a sense of safety in public spaces.
Officials indicated that the operations discussed Wednesday are part of an ongoing effort to stabilize security across Mogadishu’s districts. The meeting underscores mounting pressure on the force to curb street crime and address “anti-security activities” — a term authorities use for actions that threaten public order or erode confidence in law enforcement.
Banadir police said more updates would follow as operations unfold. Residents were urged, implicitly through the focus on rapid reporting and response, to continue sharing information on incidents to support enforcement efforts.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
