HE the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Strongly Condemns Attack on NISA Facility in Mogadishu
September 01, 2014 Speaking in Ankara, Turkey, while attending the inauguration of the President of Turkey, HE the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud strongly condemned today’s attack by al Shabaab on the NISA Facility in Mogadishu.
“Just before midday today, 31 August 2014, 7 members of al Shabaab attacked the National Intelligence & Security Agency (NISA) Godka Jilicow facility in central Mogadishu, breaching the wall of the prison with explosives and then forcing their way into the complex using small arms. Due to the prompt actions of the personnel on duty in the complex at the time of the incident and their rapid reinforcement by other elements of the Somali security forces, (supported by AMISOM troops), the attack was quickly halted and all the al Shabaab members killed. It is with regret that I note that 3 members of the security forces and 2 civilians were also killed during the incident. I send my sincere condolences to the families of those who died and offer our deepest gratitude to the members of the security forces who gave up their lives.
“As a result of the recent security surge in Mogadishu and the continuing success of Operation Indian Ocean, Al Shabaab are now desperately short of men. We can only presume that this prompted such a desperate attempt to free some of their imprisoned personnel. At the same time, al Shabaab knows the conventional fight over territory is nearly over for them so it seeks instead to distract from its losses of men and ground by trying to grab media headlines through attention-seeking but consistently unsuccessful attacks such as this one.
“I have ordered a full, public enquiry into the incident. We will learn the lessons of this attack, further improving our procedures as required in order to limit the opportunities for the terrorists. At the same time, stop and search operations in Mogadishu and Operation Indian Ocean will continue unabated.
“It gives me no pleasure to say it, but al Shabaab will attempt more attacks of this nature. They have no other options left. But the security forces, with the assistance of AMISOM and the support of the international community, are continually developing their capacity to defeat and even pre-empt these attacks.
“I end by reminding you, the citizens of Somalia, that you too have a role to play in securing the nation. Report criminal activities and any suspicious activity to the security forces, even if it is your son or your brother. It is your duty as a Somali and it is only with your help that we will rid ourselves of al Shabaab.”