Mogadishu – A Somali government soldier has shot and killed a public transport driver in Karaan district, Banaadir region, following a dispute over money the soldier allegedly attempted to extort.
The victim, identified as Arab Ali, was a driver of a Leyla Calaawi vehicle—minibuses commonly used for transporting passengers between Mogadishu and central Somalia. His uncle confirmed his identity to local media. The assailant was a member of the Somali National Army, though his name has not yet been released.
According to eyewitnesses, the killing occurred after an argument between the soldier and the driver when the soldier reportedly demanded money. After the dispute escalated, the soldier opened fire, fatally wounding the driver before fleeing the scene.
The incident took place on September 22, 2025, in Karaan, one of Mogadishu’s northern districts. The shooting happened at a busy transport route in Karaan, an area frequently used by long-distance minibuses connecting the capital with central regions.
Preliminary reports suggest the killing stemmed from extortion—a recurring problem in Mogadishu where drivers and transport operators frequently accuse security forces of demanding illegal payments. The practice has fueled tensions between drivers and security personnel, sometimes resulting in violence.
Security forces from Karaan district arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. A manhunt has been launched to apprehend the soldier, who fled immediately after the shooting. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether he has been arrested.
Incidents of misconduct involving security forces demanding illegal tolls from drivers are not uncommon in Mogadishu. Transport operators have repeatedly raised complaints about harassment, extortion, and, in extreme cases, beatings and shootings carried out by armed personnel in government uniforms.
The killing of Arab Ali underscores persistent accountability challenges within Somalia’s security sector. While authorities have pledged to track down the soldier responsible, the incident has once again drawn public attention to widespread reports of extortion and abuse by armed forces against civilians.