MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) on Sunday released surveillance footage exposing a serious security lapse that enabled Al-Shabaab militants to infiltrate Mogadishu and launch a deadly assault on Jili’ow Prison, located just steps from the presidential palace.
According to the video, a Toyota Hilux pickup truck – laden with explosives and carrying militants – entered the capital from Afgoye town and traveled over 30 kilometers without being stopped or questioned at any checkpoint. The vehicle, which was painted in NISA colors and bore the agency’s insignia, drove through multiple security layers undetected, ultimately reaching the prison where it detonated at the entrance, initiating a coordinated ground assault by the fighters on board.
Jili’ow Prison is not only a detention facility for Al-Shabaab suspects but also houses the offices of the NISA chief for the Banadir region and his deputies. The strategic location of the prison, within close proximity to the country’s highest seat of power, underscores the severity of the breach.
The militants seized control of the facility for more than 12 hours, engaging in sustained and intense firefights with security forces throughout the night. Reports indicate that a number of inmates – believed to be Al-Shabaab operatives – may have escaped during the chaos.
Analysts describe the attack as a major failure by Somalia’s security apparatus. The released footage suggests the same vehicle used in the attack had previously made trial runs along the exact route, likely as part of Al-Shabaab’s operational rehearsals – standard practice for the group’s intelligence operations. Despite these repeated movements, the vehicle was never intercepted or flagged, highlighting deep systemic flaws in checkpoint enforcement and surveillance.
State media reported that there were no existing security protocols to detect or respond to such a scenario, which allowed the militants to exploit NISA’s own visual identifiers to bypass scrutiny. As of now, the federal government has not issued a detailed statement or confirmed whether an official investigation is underway.
The incident raises urgent questions about the preparedness and coordination of security forces, particularly given the symbolic and strategic significance of the targeted location. The infiltration and prolonged firefight in the heart of Mogadishu represent one of the most audacious attacks in recent memory and underscore the continuing threat posed by Al-Shabaab’s evolving tactics.
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