HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — Police in North Western State of Somalia have arrested several suspects in connection with the killing of two men in the Salal region and launched a manhunt for others believed to be involved, authorities said Tuesday.
The victims, identified as Yusuf Abdillaahi Hussein and Mustafa Jama Farah, were shot and killed Jan. 18 in the Indho-Biraale area of Salal, according to the North Western State of Somalia Police Force. Preliminary reports indicate that armed men opened fire on the pair along a roadway, killing them at the scene.
“The police force acted swiftly when the incident occurred and arrested suspects believed to be involved, while operations are ongoing to apprehend others,” police spokesman Col. Abdiasis Sheikh Ismail told reporters. He described the killings as a serious crime and warned that those responsible would face prosecution.
“There will be no pardon for those who committed this act,” Abdiasis said. “We will take every possible step to arrest all those involved.”
Investigators have not released information about a potential motive or further circumstances surrounding the attack. The spokesman urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security forces as the investigation continues, appealing for tips that could help identify and capture additional suspects.
“The incident is deeply troubling and out of character for our society,” he said. “Anyone who commits such crimes should expect severe consequences.”
Security operations are ongoing in and around Indho-Biraale as authorities seek to secure the area and track down remaining suspects. Police said updates will be shared as new information becomes available.
The Salal region is largely rural, and incidents of deadly violence there are relatively rare, making the case a priority for local authorities. While North Western State of Somalia has largely enjoyed stability compared to the wider Horn of Africa, authorities say swift enforcement and community cooperation are central to preventing isolated attacks from escalating or prompting reprisals.
Tuesday’s announcement underscores a common pattern in recent criminal investigations across the region: fast initial arrests supported by wider search operations, coupled with public appeals aimed at encouraging witnesses to come forward. Police have emphasized that community-sourced information remains critical for identifying suspects who may flee to remote areas or attempt to evade capture by crossing administrative boundaries.
Anyone with information related to the Salal killings is urged by police to contact local stations or liaise with district security officers. The police spokesman said further details would be released when it would not compromise the integrity of the investigation.
As of Tuesday evening, no additional details on the number of detained suspects or the specific charges were provided. Authorities reiterated that all those involved would be brought before the courts.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
