Somali Forces conduct operation to clean up roadblocks in Lower Shabelle

Security forces have conducted a heavy operation to clean up illegal roadblocks set up by armed militias in Lower Shabelle region following constant complaints by the travelers and transport vehicle owners in the past weeks.

Gunmen purporting to be government forces have set up their own roadblocks to collect revenue from the vehicles plying roads linking towns of the region resulting high prices on food and other commodities in the region.

The associations of transport owners and drivers have been continuously complaining about the roadblocks where the armed militias demand a huge amount of money forcing many transport owners to stop plying several towns in the region.

Somali police forces and Somali National Army [SNA] on Monday announced that they apprehended several of armed men in an operation carried out in Leego town.

Speaking to Goobjoog news, Leego district officer Abukar Abdulahi Isack said the operation was meant to create safe access for the locals.

He said the security forces were ordered to deal harshly with the armed people found in roadblocks.

“Those setting up roadblocks and denying the safe access of the people are just like Al-Shabaab.” Isack said.