“Our forces repulsed the attack by troublemakers. Some prisoners who had escaped from the prison were apprehended although a few prisoners are still at large“ said Colonel Hussein.
Last night, a group of heavily armed gunmen attacked Bosaso Central Prison.
A two-hour long firefight between the gunmen and custodial corps guards ensued.
Calamada, a pro-Al-Shabaab website, reports that “Al-Shabaab fighters attacked, briefly took control of the Bosaso prison and released prisoners.” Al-Shabaab claimed that its fighters burned two vehicles in the prison.
The surprise attack on the prison was preceded by planning. The proscribed group’s fighters blocked streets leading to the prison to delay reinforcements from assorted Puntland security forces.
Live-feeds shared on Facebook showed heavy exchanges of gunfire and also the use of mortars.
Al-Shabaab’s attack comes one day after Bosaso administration banned the carrying firearms in the city. “We will release a detailed report (later) on the attack” said Colonel Hussein.
This article first appeared on © Puntland Post, 2021 and is republished with permission