Attempt to rescue jailed family members fails as guards at Somalia’s Galkaayo prison repel armed attackers
The five prisoners are in jail to serve various sentences for murder committed three months ago with the main suspect sentenced to death by firing squad.
Prison guards at the heavily fortified Galkaayo prison in central Somalia on Friday foiled an attempted prison break-in by armed men on a mission to rescue five jailed family members accused of killing a businessman.
The five prisoners are in jail to serve various sentences for murder committed three months ago with the main suspect sentenced to death by firing squad while the other four were each slapped with 10-year prison sentences.
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"The attackers arrived on two cars alighted outside the prison and opened fire at the Galkaayo prison warders. We had to duck down and hide. After a short but heavy gun duel, the attackers fled leaving one dead and another wounded gunman. Two of the guards also sustained injuries but thanks God the guards foiled the prison break-in," Ali Yassin, a resident who resides close to the prison told The Eastleigh Voice.
Yasin said the attackers wanted to rescue recently incarnated relatives in for the murder of a businessman.
"The prisoners who the gunmen wanted to rescue include one sentenced to death and four others jailed for 10 years. The attackers and prisoners are all Galkaayo residents," he added.
A senior security official confirmed the attack and praised the guards for thwarting it.
"The prison is well protected and the guards are on alert all the time because we always prepare for such scenarios given the prison houses dangerous criminal inmates. The attackers are known and will be apprehended," the senior official who did not wish to be named told The Eastleigh Voice speaking from Galkaayo.
Galkaayo is a town in central Somalia divided into two sides. The attacked prison is located on the northern Puntland side, while the south of the city falls under Galmudud State. The town has a history of clan feuds but has been enjoying its longest peaceful spell of late.
Prison attacks in Somalia are not common. The last one to be attacked was the main prison in Mogadishu in July 2024 in which five Al-Shabaab militants serving various sentences attempted a prison breakout after sneaking guns into the prison.
The five Al-Shabaab prisoners were killed in that attack as well as three prison warders while 13 guards sustained injuries.
