Mogadishu (WDN) – Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) have handed over two men accused of involvement in fatal crimes to authorities from Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State after they were arrested in Mogadishu while allegedly attempting to evade justice.

According to Somali state media, the suspects were transferred during a formal meeting in the border town of Balanballe, where Col. Hussein Farah, NISA’s commander for the Galmudug region, met with security officials from Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State.

The suspects are accused of committing homicide before fleeing across the border into Somalia. Somali authorities said they were apprehended in Mogadishu following intelligence-led operations before being returned to Ethiopian authorities to face legal proceedings.

The handover reflects growing security cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State in combating cross-border crime, particularly cases involving murder suspects and fugitives who attempt to escape prosecution by crossing international boundaries.

Officials from both sides emphasized that the agreement extends beyond this single case, pledging closer intelligence sharing and operational coordination to track down individuals accused of serious crimes. “No individual with blood on their hands will find a safe haven simply by fleeing across the border,” officials from both sides said, according to Somali state media.

The two delegations agreed to strengthen cooperation in identifying, arresting, and extraditing suspects involved in murder and other serious criminal offenses, signaling a broader commitment to denying criminals sanctuary in neighboring jurisdictions.

The latest transfer comes as Somalia continues efforts to enhance regional security cooperation with neighboring countries, with authorities increasingly relying on intelligence-sharing and joint operations to combat transnational crime, terrorism, and cross-border fugitives.

Nevertheless, it’s important to note, reports published in recent years, including more recent accounts, have alleged that Somali authorities have handed over civilians and members of Ethiopian opposition groups to Ethiopian authorities against their will. Human rights advocates and critics contend that some of those transferred have subsequently been subjected to arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, or other serious human rights abuses, raising concerns about compliance with international legal obligations and the principle of non-refoulement.

Neither Somali authorities nor officials from Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State immediately released additional details about the identities of the suspects or the specific charges they will face following their transfer.

WardheerNews