Lawmaker injured, bodyguard and driver killed in drive-by shooting in Mogadishu

A Federal member of parliament has been injured and two his staff including a driver and bodyguard have been killed in a drive by shooting incident in El-Gaabta junction, Hamarwyene district in Mogadishu barely two days after a security agent was gunned down in a similar version in the same area.

Goobjoog News correspondent in the area said the armed men opened fire on Mohamed Ali Dahiye’s car after driving close before disappearing. One of the bodyguards was also injured alongside the MP and were rushed to a city hospital.

“One bodyguard and driver was killed in the shooting while the MP sustained injuries.  The assailants fled the scene immediately,” our correspondent said.

Local government spokesman Abdifitah Halane the attack was carried out by armed gunmen suspected to be Al-Shabaab and that security agencies have launched investigations into the incident. “This is part of pre-planned attacks carried out by Al-Shabaab but security forces have foiled several such attempts,” said Halane.

Witnesses told Goobjoog News the armed men sprayed the lawmaker’s car with bulets killing two of the occupants who were later identified as the bodyguards. Initial reports indicated the driver may have been hit but Goobjoog News has not established yet.

The killing happens barely 24 hours after another drive by shooting Monday in addition to a similar shooting Sunday.

Dahiye joined parliament in April last year to replace his predecessor, Abdullahi Qayade Barre who was killed in February same year in a similar version near the scene of today’s incident.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks.