GALKAYO — A disturbing case in Galkayo has shocked communities across Somalia after a woman, Hodan Mohamud Diiriye, was accused of fatally assaulting a young female employee,Sabirin, in what authorities describe as a cruel and premeditated act.
According to reports, Sabirin had been employed by Hodan for an extended period but was reportedly subjected to harsh labor, physical abuse, and neglect. Eyewitnesses and local sources say Sabirin endured beatings with sticks, whips, and other objects, leading to severe injuries that ultimately caused her death on 11 November.
Hodan Mohamud Diiriye, now facing charges in connection with the killing, is reported to have 13 children, one of whom she was still breastfeeding at the time. In her defense, Hodan reportedly claimed she often fainted due to the pressures of managing her household and children. However, police investigations and local accounts indicate that Saabriin was assigned work far beyond her physical capacity as a young girl.
Neighbors and witnesses described Saabriin as a quiet and obedient young woman, who endured mistreatment without complaint. The brutality she faced, according to eyewitnesses, is “beyond what the human mind can accept.”
Images and video footage documenting Sabirin’s injuries have circulated within the community, prompting widespread shock and anger. Those who have seen the footage report feeling pain, sorrow, and deep outrage, as it reveals the prolonged nature of the abuse she endured.
Saabriin’s family has expressed intense grief over her death and is calling for swift justice for the young girl, emphasizing that the severity of the crime requires urgent legal action.
The case has sparked national outrage on Somali social media and in local news outlets. Many commentators are demanding stronger legal measures to prevent child labor and the exploitation of vulnerable young workers, particularly those from disadvantaged families who are at greater risk of abuse.
The tragic death of Sabirin has reignited debates about child protection, workers’ rights, and accountability in Somalia, highlighting the urgent need for enforcement of laws to protect minors from violence and exploitation.
