Galkayo, Puntland – Governor Faysal Sheikh Ali of Puntland’s Mudug region has denied allegations of abduction involving individuals from Southwest State, asserting that their detention was lawful and linked to a decades-old murder case.
The individuals in question were reportedly apprehended in Galkayo in connection to blood money owed from a 2006 killing.
“They were detained according to the law. This is not a case of abduction,” Governor Faysal said during a press briefing, emphasizing that the action followed traditional and legal procedures related to the unresolved case.
However, his remarks have done little to calm growing public outrage after images surfaced showing the detainees shackled by their feet in chains. The photos have triggered widespread condemnation, including sharp criticism from members of Somalia’s Federal Parliament.
Federal MP Mahad Diriye called the images “cruel, degrading, and utterly inhumane,” urging Puntland authorities to uphold human dignity even in matters of justice. Civil society organizations have also called for an independent investigation into the conditions of the detainees and the legality of their arrest.
The controversy has intensified calls for reform in Somalia’s detention practices and greater oversight over inter-regional arrests, particularly in complex cases rooted in clan-based disputes.
As tensions mount, federal officials have yet to issue a formal response, but sources say mediation efforts may soon be underway between Puntland and Southwest State leaders.