News
Gunmen kill nine street cleaners – Police
Suspected al Shabaab militants shot and killed nine street cleaners in a village near Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, Police and a Local Governor said on Tuesday.
Gunmen opened fire on four women and five men from refugee camps in Hawabdi, 19 km north west of Mogadishu in the state of Lower Shabelle.
All were killed at the scene, authorities said.
“They were clearing the shrubs to get cash. Militants opened fire on them.
“Security forces heard the gunfire and rushed to the scene. The militants ran away otherwise they could’ve killed 12 cleaners there,” Ali Nur, deputy governor of Lower Shabelle, told Reuters.
Al Shabaab frequently carries out attacks in Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia against the government and other targets.
The group is trying to oust the Western-backed central government and establish its own rule based on its strict interpretation of sharia law.
The workers killed were on a break when the militants attacked, governor Ali said.
A local police officer confirmed the incident.
“Al Shabaab killed nine poor civilians who were cleaners. We searched the area for the militants but they all escaped,” Captain Nur Ali said.
Mohamed Hussein, a local elder who lost a relative, told Reuters that:
“Yesterday was a black day. The families of the cleaners were expecting cash but unfortunately, we received nine dead bodies.”
Al Shabaab could not be reached for comment.
NAN
-
News22 hours ago
Enugu govt plans befitting burial for Mr Ibu, Junior Pope
-
News22 hours ago
Kano police arrest suspects for disrupting inauguration of new commissioners
-
Politics21 hours ago
Zamfara bans officials from radio, TV interviews
-
News19 hours ago
Kastina police foil attack, neutralize suspected bandit
-
Crime23 hours ago
NAPTIP arrests fake Rev Sister for trafficking 38 children
-
News17 hours ago
Kenneth Okonkwo knocks CBN’s forex management amid economic struggles
-
News17 hours ago
Navy nabs 14 criminals in Akwa Ibom
-
Metro23 hours ago
Man trafficks 1,040 tons of Indian hemp to Lagos