BAIDOA — The Somali Police Chief, Brigadier General Asad Osman Abdullahi, recently convened a high-level strategic gathering with all police personnel currently deployed in Baidoa, the provisional capital of South West State.
Enhancing Inter-Agency Collaboration
During the comprehensive briefing, the Police Chief updated commanding officers and frontline personnel on the prevailing security conditions across Baidoa, particularly in light of the profound, recent political developments in the area. He explicitly directed law enforcement officials to immediately enhance their tactical collaboration with other federal security entities.
Brigadier General Abdullahi underlined the absolute duty of the police force to proactively uphold peace, enforce the rule of law, and maintain strict civic order throughout the urban center. This coordinated law enforcement push directly complements recent broader security assessments conducted by federal military and parliamentary leaders to stabilize the city following the region’s power shift.
Implementing a Nighttime Weapons Ban
To further secure the city during this sensitive transition, federal and regional authorities have officially implemented strict new security regulations. Most notably, the police command has issued an absolute ban forbidding all non-security personnel from possessing or carrying weapons after dark within the city limits.
According to the new mandate, nighttime weapon possession permissions are now granted solely to on-duty, official security forces. This strictly encompasses active Somali Police Force units and credentialed national intelligence (NISA) operatives. The sweeping disarmament measure aims to prevent armed militias or opportunistic criminal elements from exploiting the ongoing administrative vacuum following the removal of the former regional president.
Safeguarding the Public During Transition
Following the assembly, Abdifataax Aadan Xasan, the official spokesperson for the Somali Police Force, shared further details regarding the security proceedings with the press. He strongly noted the organization’s renewed, unwavering commitment to safeguarding public welfare and protecting civilian life in Baidoa.
The spokesperson emphasized that maintaining an unshakeable security apparatus is the foundational prerequisite for ensuring a smooth political transition, paving the way for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s ongoing diplomatic and administrative efforts to stabilize the regional state.
