Somalia rewards man with $20,000 for helping avert Al-Shabaab attack

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] has recognized the patriotism of a man in Somalia following his heroics in helping to avert a deadly Al-Shabaab attack, with Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre rewarding him with $20,000 for sharing intelligence information over plot to attack a busy point in Mogadishu.

Galbed Hussein Aden, a citizen was rewarded on Tuesday after helping Somali security forces avert an Al-Shabaab bomb attack on Beerta Nabada [Peace Park] in Mogadishu last month, in what the government termed a significant breakthrough in the fight against terrorism within the country.

The militants, NISA conceded, had planned a series of attacks in the capital that would have been otherwise devastating in the country. Barre, who was present during the ceremony, hailed Guled for acts of patriotism, noting that fighting terrorism is a collective responsibility for all citizens.

"The National Intelligence and Security Agency NISA awarded up to $20,000 to the Galbed Hussein Adan who helped security forces for the information about the planned terrorist attacks Mogadishu's peace garden," the spy agency, NISA, tweeted.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been challenging Somali nationals to join hands in the fight against Al-Shabaab, arguing that the militants can be defeated with concerted effort. The government has activated the fight against Al-Shabaab, with the first phase of operations against the group yielding significant results.

Last month, PM Hamza Abdi also rewarded Mama Farhiyo for her acts of patriotism, terming her actions as "bravery which should be emulated by all Somalis". The woman prevented a possibly devastating attack at Kahda District within Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

In reference to her heroics, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre delivered $10,000 to her while asking citizens to work closely with government forces in taming the Al-Shabaab militants. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has previously encouraged locals to join the war against the militants.

According to reports, the woman is reported to have refused the militants from hiding in her house to carry out the attacks. Al-Shabaab usually launches attacks from enclosed areas and at times, they drop Improved Explosive Devices in areas highly populated with human population.

Recently, the Al-Shabaab militants raided an Uganda People's Defense Forces [UPDF] Forward Operating Base in Bulo Marer, killing 54 soldiers in the process. The militants also attempted to raid the Ethiopian military base in Dolow but met resistance from the military but the militants managed to attack Pearl Hotel in Mogadishu. 

GAROWE ONLINE