By HAN News Desk
GALGADUUD — Police in the central Somali town of Guriel have arrested a man suspected of killing a well-known local businessman on Monday evening. The suspect, identified as Abdifitah Ali, was detained shortly after the incident, according to officials from the Guriel Police Command.
The victim, Dek Abdi Jama, a respected trader in the area, was reportedly shot dead in the town centre. Residents said the killing shocked the community, where Dek was known for his long-standing involvement in local commerce. Authorities have not yet disclosed the motive for the attack, but investigations are ongoing.
Police officials said the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation. They added that security forces moved quickly to prevent tensions from escalating, as the region has historically witnessed retaliatory violence following such incidents.
Recently, central Somalia’s Mudug and Galgaduud regions are among the areas most affected by clan-related revenge killings, a pattern that has persisted for decades. Local elders and civil society groups say reconciliation efforts are often limited or overlooked entirely, allowing cycles of revenge to continue and destabilise communities.
Community leaders in Guriel have called for calm and urged families to avoid taking the law into their own hands. They also appealed to authorities to strengthen law enforcement and invest in long-term reconciliation mechanisms aimed at ending the recurring violence.
The killing of Jama has reignited debate on the need for stronger justice systems and conflict-resolution structures in central Somalia, where residents often express frustration that unresolved disputes repeatedly lead to bloodshed.
Police say more information will be released once the investigation progresses.
