Ex-NISA deputy chief Kulane responds to the removal of his security guards

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Ex-NISA deputy chief Abdullahi Kulane has accused Somalia’s president and the Intel director Mahad Salad of stripping him of his security detail as part of an attempt to intimidate him and expose him to risk of retaliation from militants. 

Kulane, who took to his Twitter account shortly after his guards were withdrawn, also said the President and NISA boss would bear responsibility if anything happens to him henceforth.

“Withdrawing my security detail is an intimidation attempt and trying to make me vulnerable to an attack by Alshabab. The President and NISA boss bears responsibility for it,” read a statement by Kulane.

“I want to emphasize that no amount of intimidation will deter us from standing firm,” added Kulane.

The newly appointed intelligence chief on Sunday ordered the withdrawal of Kulane’s personal security shortly before he left for UAE as part of a high-level delegation led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. 

Besides, some of the security personnel previously assigned to the ex-NISA official were also detained.

Kulane is one of the NISA officials accused last year of killing Ikran Tahlil, a female spy agent whose abduction and subsequent murder caused ripples across the country, To date, her disappearance and death still remains a mystery, as efforts to nab those responsible have proved elusive.