Puntland Investigates Security Officials for Allegedly Recruiting Forces for Federal Government

Puntland has discreetly launched an investigation into several of its security officials and personnel over allegations that they have been recruiting for the Federal Government of Somalia.

Anonymous security officials have disclosed that President Said Abdullahi Deni is moving to halt the salaries and benefits of officers suspected of being tied to the Federal Government.

The officials under investigation are accused of facilitating the recruitment of police personnel on behalf of Gen. Asad Osman Abdullahi, the Commander of the Somali Police Force, from various towns across Puntland.

Although not yet officially confirmed, reports indicate that President Deni recently ordered Puntland’s Ministry of Finance to cut off the service payments to one of the implicated officers, who is alleged to have recruited for the Federal Government from the capital, Garowe.

These developments follow a public statement by President Deni just days ago, in which he emphasized Puntland’s need for “loyal security forces.” He was speaking to hundreds of new police graduates slated for deployment to secure the region’s cities.

The internal probe comes in the wake of claims by the Federal President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, that federal troops are operating within Puntland’s territory.