The Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) introduced ten individuals who recently abandoned their group Alshabab in Baidoa, which is the capital of the Bay region.
According to the security officials, the defectors, who are all young men, joined the group to cope with the suffering they were going through with internal conflicts. They reportedly contacted the government for help in order to leave the group without any harm.
Among them was Osman Abdullahi Mursal, who narrated his 13-year life in Alshabab. He thereby declared that at that time, he was the one who had to collect extorted money in view of the areas such as Buurhakaba.
“I have been a member of Al-Shabaab for 13 years. I was responsible for collecting extortion money, especially in areas around Buurhakaba district where I first joined the group. I used to collect money in Al-Shabaab-controlled areas directly, and in government-held towns, I would demand ransom from businessmen over the phone.”
He said.
According to Hiiraan Online the authorities are of the opinion that the increase in the number of people who are leaving the group is indicative of the pressure that the government forces and local militias put on Alshabab because of operation intensification that covers different areas.
These past weeks have demonstrated a number of similar defections, which took place in the sections run by the South West administration, where former soldiers are going through the process of reintegration aided by the government rehabilitation programs.