MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali police have arrested a suspected al-shabaab operative who reportedly planned to bomb a police station in the capital.

In a statement, spokesperson of Somali ministry for information, Ismail Mukhtar said the man ran after throwing a suicide vest but was caught by immediately.

“The security forces have arrested a man who threw a vest packed with explosives at an area between Mogadishu Mall and Hamarweyne Police Station,” said the spokesperson.

Another statement by the police said officers got a tip-off from members of the public at about 11:25 am local time of an impending attack and were on standby.

The police did not disclosed the casualties of the blast but a source near the area told SD that a police guarding the station was injured in the attack.

The police station is located near Hamarweyne Mall which is one of the busiest areas in the market.