MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Senior official with one of the districts in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu has been shot dead along with his aide on Tuesday, security officials have confirmed.
The assassinated official named Ibrahim Olow was the commissioner of fifth neighborhood of Mogadishu’s Kahda district where he was traveling as the attack took place early on Tuesday.
People who saw the attack happen told local media that the assassins hijacked Mr Olow’s vehicle and left behind an explosive laden car that exploded soon after security forces and Kahda district officials rushed to the scene.
At least four people including soldiers were reportedly killed in the subsequent bomb blast with several others wounded. Other district officials who were at the scene narrowly escaped the explosion.
Images taken from the scene show massive devastation caused by the blast to the office of the assassinated official and nearby houses.
Police cordoned off the area immediately after the explosion and briefly suspended traffic as rescue operation to evacuate dead bodies and injured people was underway.
No one has immediately claimed responsibility but the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab often carries out attacks on government and AU targets in Somalia’s capital and other cities in restive south Somalia.
The attack comes amid efforts to strengthen security ahead of the upcoming elections and as UN envoy in Somalia now presses on the federal government to ensure further enhanced security and to create an environment conducive for peaceful elections.
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