In a dramatic twist of fate, a man sentenced to face a firing squad has emerged as the savior of the very government tracking him down.
Duqow, a fugitive who has spent nearly a year on the run in the Walaweyn and Yaaqbiriweyne areas of the Lower Shabelle region, reportedly rescued more than 40 Somali Federal Government soldiers who had been stranded for two nights in the wilderness.
The troops had become lost and disoriented in the Jameeco area following a fierce battle with Al-Shabaab militants.
Faced with a gruelling ordeal in the isolated terrain, the soldiers’ unlikely salvation came in the form of Duqow and a group of local Macawiisley fighters.
Duqow intercepted the lost troops, provided them with food and refreshments, and successfully guided them to the safety of the Yaaqbiriweyne district.The rescue has shocked the nation due to Duqow’s notorious legal standing. He was previously sentenced to death by the prominent military court judge, Judge Shuute. For months, state security forces have been actively hunting him down to carry out his execution sentence.
Addressing rumors surrounding the encounter, Duqow strongly denied claims that he had disarmed the troops.
“I hosted the troops, provided them with refreshments, and contacted their commander to inform them of the situation,” Duqow stated, confirming he personally alerted military leadership to ensure the soldiers’ safe retrieval.
When asked about his motivations for helping the government that wants him dead, Duqow insisted he harbored no malice.
“The federal government is my government and I have no intention of seeking revenge,” Duqow said. “I love my government. I live here even though it is an empty and isolated area.”
The Somali Federal Government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, leaving Duqow’s current legal status and the official military response up in the air.
