Puntland police ill-equipped, lack training, official says

Without good training and equipment for the police in the semi-autonomous regional state, Puntland, the forces will fail to achieve their long-term objectives to maintain law and order, Puntland police commissioner said.

Speaking to reporters in Garowe, Abdikadir Farah Shire, Puntland police chief said lack of proper training for police is one of the forces’ biggest setbacks for readiness

“The police have got basic training and they struggle to make ends meet but that is not enough,” said Shire.

He called on Puntland government to review many instances of key equipment lacking, such as reconnaissance vehicles, command posts, and communications equipment.

Shire said that police are pushing efforts to apprehend culprits behind crimes that have shaken some towns in Puntland.

The sentiment of Shire amid the commercial city of Puntland Bossaso, witnessed an increase of targeted assassinations which claimed lives of top officials.

On Sunday,gunmen shot dead a military prosecutor identified as Abdikarim Hassan Firdiye in Bossaso just days after  regional official’s aide was killed in a similar and targeted attack.

Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the killings.