Somali forces removes 10 roadblocks in Lower Shabelle

Somali forces have pulled down road blocks in an operation aimed at easing transport and curtailing criminal networks which collect money from vehicles plying various routes in Lower region, military officials said on Tuesday.

At least 10 roadblocks have dismantled which have for a long time served as conduits for criminals conducting illegal taxation.

The soldiers removed several illegal checkpoints in areas under Afgooye town, according to a military officer who spoke to Goobjoog News.

The officer asked anonymity said that the operations were intended to beef up the security of the roads connecting the whole region.

“We have removed 10 roadblocks, in the process some the gunmen mounted the roadblocks tried to confront our soldiers but we have dealt them seriously,” he said.

The drivers of transport vehicles in Afgoye district welcomed the federal government’s efforts to remove the illegal checkpoints along Mogadishu-Afgoye highway.

Mohamud Ali Ahmed who is among the drivers using Mogadishu-Afgooye road told Goobjoog News that the security of road is quite good compared to the previous weeks after a number of roadblocks were removed and motorists pass the road without disturbance.

Ali stated that the removal of  the illegal roadblocks by government forces was an urgent requirement because it affected the owners of the public transport, passengers and residents.

The removal of checkpoints from the road connecting Mogadishu-Afgoye allows people to move freely throughout the area without being interfered by the armed groups.

Motorists who ply the region have severally complained from extortion by militias who man those illegal roadblocks.

There have been attacks on public transport and army installations in most of this part of the region and the forces have been trying to address.