North Western State of Somalia Police Arrest Suspects in Salal Region Double Homicide Case

North Western State of Somalia police arrest suspects in Salal double killing; manhunt underway

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026

HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — North Western State of Somalia police have arrested several suspects in 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 dead on Jan. 18 in the Indho-Biraale area of Salal. Police said preliminary reports indicate armed men opened fire along a roadway, killing both 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.”

Authorities have not released details on the motive or the number of people detained. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses in and around Indho-Biraale.

• Two men — Yusuf Abdillaahi Hussein and Mustafa Jama Farah — were killed Jan. 18 in Indho-Biraale, Salal region.
• Police say several suspects have been arrested; additional suspects are being pursued.
• No motive has been disclosed; preliminary accounts indicate gunmen opened fire along a roadway.
• Authorities are urging residents to remain calm and to share any information that could aid the investigation.

Abdiasis appealed for public cooperation, saying further information would be released as the investigation progresses. “The incident is deeply troubling and out of character for our society,” he said. “Anyone who commits such crimes should expect severe consequences.”

The Salal region, a largely rural area in North Western State of Somalia’s northwest, sees relatively few incidents of deadly violence, making the case a priority for local security officials. Police said patrols and security operations have been intensified in and around the scene of the attack.

As of Tuesday, authorities had not publicly identified the suspects in custody or indicated when initial court appearances might occur. Police emphasized that operations to track and detain remaining suspects are active and ongoing.

Officials encouraged residents to report suspicious activity or information related to the Jan. 18 shooting to local stations, underscoring that community cooperation is critical to the pace of the investigation.

This is a developing story. Police said updates will be provided as significant new information becomes available.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.