​Somalia: Rift grows as Nugal regional Police chief rejects firing

GAROWE, Puntland - The Police commander of Nugal region, Abdirashid Mohamud Aw Hussein "Hinjira Dhuq" has rejected his dismissal by the 1st deputy Chief of Puntland Police, Garowe Online reports.

Speaking to Radio Garowe (RG), Hussein said the decision was "unconstitutional" as the deputy Police has no the authority to sack him.

"A lieutenant colonel can't dismiss a another Lt colonel in the same ranks, so that the deputy Police commander could not send me home or appoint to another position," said Hussein during the interview.

Bile Farah Ali, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Puntland Police Forces, told GO that he has issued the dismissal letter of Nugal regional Police boss dated 4th September, 2017, without giving further details.

The move comes as confusion and frustration mounting in the command of Somalia's northeastern semi-autonomous region of Puntland Police following the suspension of Abdulkadir Farah Shire (Ereg).

Shire who has been in office since 2016 was suspended last month by the Vice President of Puntland Government, Abdihakim Abdullahi Haji Omar "Amey" over the release of inmates from Garowe jail.

Mohamud Muse Bile (Fardaful), the chief of Garowe Central Prison has criticized Gen Mohiyadin Ahmed Muse, the head of the state's counter-terrorism and narcotics for arresting students and people with TB without clear charges.

Puntland VP and Chief of Police at loggerheads over the prisoners' issue, which is parking rift between the law enforcement agency top officials as President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali "Gaas" is in Saudi Arabia for Hajj.

GAROWEONLINE