MOGADISHU, Somalia 02 April 2026 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the abduction, physical assault, and confiscation of a mobile phone belonging to journalist Abdihafid Nor Barre by Somali police and officers from the national intelligence in Mogadishu on Wednesday night, as SJS also calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
At approximately 8:49 pm local time on Wednesday, 2 April, armed police officers, accompanied by personnel from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), using an unmarked SUV, abducted journalist Abdihafid Nor Barre while he was at a restaurant on Maka Al-Mukarama Road, eyewitnesses told SJS. A police source later informed SJS that the unmarked vehicle initially drove to Waberi Police Station, where the officers switched to another police vehicle, which then proceeded north of Mogadishu. SJS later learned that the journalist was held overnight in cells at Yaaqshid Police Station. An eyewitness who saw the incident told SJS that a police officer slapped and punched Abdihafid during the abduction.
Eyewitnesses and a police source confirmed that the abduction was carried out by an officer identified as Abdi Ali, the commander of police checkpoints in Mogadishu. Abdi Ali has previously been implicated in similar attacks on journalists and media outlets.
On Thursday morning, without notifying his family and without legal representation, the journalist was briefly arraigned before the Banadir Regional Court before being transferred to Mogadishu Central Prison.
When SJS sought information, the police spokesperson, Captain Abdifatah Adan, declined to comment on the incident.
A colleague told SJS that Abdihafid’s phone was accessed by the police, and that a call was made to colleagues warning them to remain silent about his abduction.
On 30 March, Abdihafid published a Facebook post quoting South West State authorities, stating: “The militias that launched the attack on the city of Baidoa, who were wronged by Hassan Sheikh, have been defeated. Many prisoners are now in the custody of the South West State government, and operations to pursue the remaining fighters are still ongoing.”
On Monday, 30 March, Somali government forces and allied militias entered the city of Baidoa, the seat of Southwest State, following violent clashes on the outskirts of the town. The fighting forced the Southwest State president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed ‘Laftagareen’ to flee to Nairobi, and the city fell to federal government and allied forces.
At the time of writing, no charges have been brought against the journalist, who remains detained at Mogadishu Central Prison.
This is the second case in which Abdihafid has been a victim of unlawful detention and physical assault. On 24 February 2026, he was kidnapped by armed officers from the Somali National Army and held at a military academy in Mogadishu for 24 hours before being released. His detention followed his reporting on the dismissal of Turkish-trained officers over a pay dispute.
“The abduction, physical assault, and unlawful detention of journalist Abdihafid Nor Barre is a grave violation of press freedom and fundamental human rights. The reported beating during his arrest, the confiscation of his phone, and the breach of his private communications are deeply alarming and completely unacceptable. These actions reflect a disturbing pattern of abuse against journalists in Mogadishu who face wave of intimidation and threats due to their reporting,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.
“We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Abdihafid, and urge the authorities to hold those responsible—particularly the officers involved—fully accountable. Journalists must be allowed to work freely without fear of violence, intimidation, or retaliation,” added Mr. Mumin.
