MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – In a concerning development, individuals posing as Somali police officers were recently smuggled into Europe through an official visit by Somali police commissioner to INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon, France.
Despite their invitation by INTERPOL, these individuals who were on the invited list have not returned to Somalia, raising serious concerns about human trafficking facilitated by government officials.
On August 8, 2024, the INTERPOL Secretary General met with General Sulub Ahmed Firin, Commissioner of the Somali Police Force, and his delegation at INTERPOL headquarters.
Among those who traveled from Somalia for this visit was Abditah Ali Mohamed, who, according to police sources in Mogadishu, is a cousin of General Firin.
Despite never having served as a police officer, Abditah was hastily added to the list of officers traveling to France. A passport was quickly issued, and fake police documents were provided to him.
Following the visit to France, General Firin returned to Mogadishu, but Abditah and others from the delegation did not accompany him.
Our investigation has now confirmed that Abditah was smuggled into Germany, crossing the border via train.
“Abditah was not a police officer, but he was put on the list by his cousin, General Firin, to secure a visa and smuggle him into Europe under the guise of an INTERPOL invitation,” a police officer in Mogadishu revealed to our reporter.
Despite never serving in the police, Abditah was given a police uniform and was pictured alongside his cousin, General Sulub Ahmed Firin, during a police event in Mogadishu just days before he was smuggled into Europe, as confirmed by two officers.
INTERPOL had published photos of the delegation’s visit on August 8, 2024, which included Abditah in a group photo, further confirming his presence.
That is not the only concerning case. We found a list of individuals who were recently promoted despite never serving in the police, according to documents.
Police sources say some were brought in by their clans, while others paid to get the promotion.
The concern is that some unchecked individuals with security risks might make their way into the police force.
Human trafficking involving Somali government officials is becoming increasingly rampant.
Mogadishu Airport has been described as a hotspot for smugglers trafficking people, including young children. One recent case involves an underage girl named Meymun Abdullahi Ahmed, who was smuggled from Hargeisa to Mogadishu and then trafficked from Mogadishu Airport by these smugglers.
We have reached out to INTERPOL’s press office and are awaiting their response.
Meanwhile, Somali immigration authorities have declined to comment on these recent cases.