Mogadishu, Somalia — In a dramatic development in Somalia’s capital, security forces have detained a police officer accused of terrorizing pedestrians with his firearm in the Dharkenley district of Mogadishu. The arrest of Officer Mohamed Hussein Warsame comes in the wake of a viral video showing him brandishing a gun and threatening individuals on the street, an act that has provoked widespread outrage.
Officer Mohamed Hussein Warsame was arrested following the circulation of a video on social media, which depicts him pointing a firearm at pedestrians and making threatening gestures. Warsame has claimed that the incident was intended as a prank, stating that he was merely joking and filming himself. However, the video has sparked significant concern and condemnation from the public and authorities alike.
The individual at the center of this controversy is Mohamed Hussein Warsame, a police officer in Mogadishu. The arrest was carried out by Somali security forces in response to the public’s outcry. The police command has confirmed that Warsame will face legal proceedings and be brought before a competent court to address the charges against him.
The arrest occurred following the video’s release, with the incident coming to light in late August 2024. The video’s circulation rapidly garnered attention, leading to the officer’s detention and the ongoing legal processes.
The troubling events took place in Mogadishu’s Dharkenley district, with the video’s scenes captured on the streets of this area. The earlier fatal shooting by a soldier occurred in the Hamarjabab district, also within Mogadishu.
The arrest of Warsame highlights growing concerns over the conduct of law enforcement personnel in Somalia. The incident is particularly troubling given its timing, following a recent and equally disturbing event—the fatal shooting of manual laborer Ismail Ali Mohamed by a government soldier. Mohamed was killed in Hamarjabab district over a minor dispute involving less than $0.25, or 3,000 Somali shillings. The soldier involved allegedly shot Mohamed after a confrontation and subsequently fled the scene, exacerbating tensions in the capital.
The video evidence of Warsame’s actions has led to his arrest and the confirmation from the police command that he will face court charges. This process underscores the Somali government’s commitment to addressing misconduct and restoring public trust in its security forces.
The arrest of Officer Warsame and the recent fatal shooting underscore the pressing need for reform and accountability within Somalia’s security sector. As the country grapples with these incidents, the Somali government faces mounting pressure to ensure justice and prevent further abuses by its law enforcement personnel.
