GALKAYO-Reports from northern Galkayo in Puntland indicate that members of the Al Shabab group escaped from a prison in the city last night. The escapees had previously been sentenced to death and life imprisonment.

A total of 12 Al Shabaab-affiliated inmates escaped from the airbase prison in northern Gaalkacyo. Security forces have successfully recaptured 9 of the escaped individuals.

These prisoners, suspected of being members of terrorist groups, had previously admitted during interrogations that they were responsible for killing various individuals in Gaalkacyo, including government officials and elders.

Puntland’s security forces have launched investigations this morning to identify those who facilitated the escape of the Al Shabaab members from the prison in Gaalkacyo.

A similar escape occurred years ago when Al Shabab inmates broke out from a prison in northern Galkayo. Some of those escapees were subsequently shot, others were recaptured, and some managed to rejoin Al Shabab.