MOGADISHU (Xinhua) — A senior Somali police commander and two of his bodyguards were killed by a roadside bomb Wednesday shortly after the arrival of Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf backto Mogadishu, a Somali government official confirmed to reporters on Wednesday.
Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Mohamed Wasuge, head of the Western Section of Mogadishu police command and two of his bodyguards died as they were taking part in the security operation for the return of Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, who came back from an official visit to Djibouti, Deputy Mogadishu Mayor for Security Affairs Abditetaf Shaweye said.
The blast occurred shortly after the president arrived in the capital. The commander’s vehicle was reportedly destroyed by the huge explosion which could be heard in much of the Somali capital.
The Somali president attended a regional summit in Addis Abba, the Ethiopian capital, before he went to Djibouti for an official visit. Peace talks between the Somali transitional government and opposition members were recently concluded in Djibouti.
No one has claimed for the assassination of the senior Somali police commander but Shaweye said that insurgents were behind the blast.
“The anti-peace forces who often disrupt the social peace and security are behind this heinous act but the security forces will pursue the perpetrators and put them before the law,” Shaweye said.