Scandal Erupts as Fake Somali Officers Sneak into Europe Amid INTERPOL Visit

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AXADLE) – A disconcerting situation has arisen as imposters masquerading as Somali police officers infiltrated Europe. This occurred coincidentally during an official trip by the Somali Police Commissioner to INTERPOL’s headquarters in Lyon, France.

Though they were invited by INTERPOL, these individuals have vanished and failed to return to Somalia, sparking grave worries about potential human trafficking with government complicity.

On August 8, 2024, General Sulub Ahmed Firin, the head of the Somali Police Force, along with his entourage, was warmly welcomed at INTERPOL’s Lyon facility. Among the group was Abditah Ali Mohamed, noted by sources in Mogadishu as a relative of General Firin.

Remarkably, Abditah had never donned a police uniform in his life, yet he found himself annexed to the officer roster traveling to France. A passport appeared almost instantaneously, alongside fabricated police credentials.

A police source revealed to our journalist, “Following the trip, General Firin returned to Mogadishu alone, leaving Abditah and several others behind.” This sets off alarm bells about the integrity of the visit.

Our investigation has determined that Abditah made his way into Germany, using the train for border passage. Despite his non-existent law enforcement experience, he proudly wore a police uniform and posed for pictures with General Firin during an official event in Mogadishu shortly before the smuggling operation.

One Mogadishu officer admitted, “While Abditah wasn’t an officer, he was added to the travel list by his cousin, General Firin, merely to obtain a visa and aid in his covert journey into Europe via the INTERPOL guise.”

INTERPOL’s own records showcase a group photograph from the August 8 delegation visit, where Abditah is distinctly visible, further validating his dubious role.

This incident appears to be merely a fragment of a broader issue. Documents reviewed by our team unveil a disturbing trend within the Somali Police Force, highlighting individuals promoted without ever serving. Sources indicate these promotions stem from clan affiliations or monetary transactions. This raises red flags about the infiltration of potentially perilous elements into the policing system.

The rise of human trafficking with ties to Somali officials is an escalating crisis. Mogadishu Airport has been flagged as a significant transit point for smugglers trafficking vulnerable individuals, including minors.

A recent harrowing account showcases a young girl, Meymun Abdullahi Ahmed, who was transported from Hargeisa to Mogadishu and subsequently trafficked through the airport.

We have reached out to INTERPOL’s press office and are pending their response. Meanwhile, Somali immigration authorities have opted to remain mum on these alarming developments.