Sunday, July 6, 2025 — Horn Africa News
A harrowing case of child abuse has gripped the nation after the Somali Military Court today heard details of the brutal torture of a three-year-old boy in Mogadishu. The child, identified as Abdullahi, was subjected to sustained and severe violence at the hands of his father, aged 30, and stepmother.
The court was presented with disturbing video and photographic evidence showing the boy with extensive injuries. Witnesses, including neighbors and police officers, testified that the abuse had gone on for a prolonged period.
Among the evidence was a cane the couple reportedly purchased specifically to beat the child.
According to testimony, the abuse took place in the Hamarjajab district, where concerned neighbors ultimately alerted the police. A team led by Deputy Police Commander, Rahmo Salaad rescued the child and confirmed that he had suffered horrific violence.
Medical reports revealed serious injuries, including bruises and wounds caused by beatings to the genitals (specifically the testicles).
The father had assumed custody of Cabdullahi following separation from the boy’s mother, and brought him to live with the stepmother. Together, they allegedly inflicted ongoing cruelty on the child over the past three years.
In court, the accused claimed they beat the boy because he would vomit during meals — a justification that has further fueled public outrage.
The case has sparked widespread condemnation across Somalia, with civil society groups, child rights advocates, and citizens demanding swift justice and stronger protections for vulnerable children. The Military Court is expected to deliver its ruling in the coming days.
