Saturday July 13, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somali Custodial Corps has "swiftly quelled" a violent outbreak at Hamar Central Prison, killing five inmates who attempted to incite unrest, according to Somalia's national broadcaster.
The bodies of the deceased were displayed and identified as al-Shabaab fighters who had been previously sentenced to death.
The situation began with heavy gunfire and an explosion inside the facility. Preliminary reports indicated a confrontation between prison guards and inmates who had seized weapons.
Security officials said the Somali Custodial Corps' rapid response prevented further escalation and ensured the safety of other inmates and prison staff.
The command of the Correctional Force announced that they will soon release complete details on how the inmates acquired the weapons used in the escape attempt.
Earlier this year, a video surfaced showing Col. Hassan A Nor 'Shuute,' a senior security official and head of military tribunals, warning that Mogadishu's central prison was overcrowded. In the video, taken during a security conference, Shuute stated that the central prison was designed to hold 800 inmates but now houses twice that number. He requested that a new prison be built to house high-security inmates, including capital murderers and militant insurgents.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.