Mogadishu suicide bomber an ex-NISA staff, says information minister

Mogadishu (Sunatimes) The suicide bomber who blew himself up near Prime Minister Shirdon’s residency in Villa Somalia was a former employee of the national intelligence and security agency (NISA), a cabinet minister has revealed.

Addressing a press conference at the PM’s residence in Mogadishu shortly after the attack, Information Minister Abdullahi Elmoge Hirsi told reporters that the attacker was a NISA staff before he was dismissed from the force.

The minister has not mentioned the name of the bomber-turned ex-intelligence officer, saying that they were awaiting further details from the national spy agency. But in quick rejoinder, NISA regional boss Khalif Ahmed Ereg dismissed the minister’s remarks maintaining the attacker has never served in the force.

The NISA regional boss also displayed alleged photos of the suicide bomber, who he said was an Al-Shabaab defector but denied having ever served in his agency.

The bomber blew himself up on Tuesday morning after he was allegedly refused access to accessing a compound next to the Ethiopian Embassy in Mogadishu which is located near the Somali presidential palace.

A government soldier was killed and three others, all Prime Minister Shirdon’s security details, were injured in the attack.