In a chilling exposé, Aweys disclosed that 10 officers within NISA had been apprehended for their alleged espionage on behalf of the notorious Al-Shabaab group while two others fled, a revelation that unravels the core of Somalia’s security agency.

Addressing at a press briefing at the Ministry of Information headquarters, Minister Aweys unveiled an account of the unraveling saga. "NISA targets the various moles created in the government departments,” he asserted, laying bare the ominous truth that extends beyond the confines of the security apparatus.

"The Federal Government of Somalia, especially NISA, which has been investigating and monitoring for a long time, has found out that there are people working in the security agencies and government departments passing information to Al-Shabaab,” he emphasized, underscoring the extent of the crisis that reaches deep into the fabric of the nation’s governance.

NISA has taken to its Twitter account to publish images of the two men who allegedly fled, with one of them donning a police uniform. In a tweet, NISA implored, "We pursue these wanted fugitives. Abdisatar Abdikadir Isse and Ayanle Mohamed Ali. If you have any information that can lead their arrest, please contact security agencies.”

We pursue these wanted fugitives.

Abdisatar Abdikadir Isse and Ayanle Mohamed Ali.

If you have any information that can lead their arrest, please contact security agencies. pic.twitter.com/DxTezhgrTM

— NISA (@HSNQ_NISA) August 4, 2023

Our investigation now uncovers that Abdisatar Abdikadir Isse is a member of the influential Abgal’s Waceysle – a sub-clan of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. In contrast, Ayanle Mohamed Ali hails from the Ajuuraan minority group. According to intelligence sources, both have held senior positions within NISA, having defected from the militant group and subsequently rising to prominent roles within the spy agency.

The startling revelation has ignited a firestorm of speculation, raising profound concerns about the nation’s stability and security. The insidious incursion of Al-Shabaab into the very corridors of power has unveiled an intricate web of intrigue and compromise that defies easy resolution.

"The problem is bigger than it is thought”

In a nation beleaguered by conflict and strife, Somalia has grappled with the enigma of a hybrid force that blurs the boundaries between, clan rivalry, insurgency and governance. The revelation of Al-Shabaab’s tentacles reaching within NISA’s ranks underscores the gravity of a situation that was long suspected by government officials and the general public alike.

This is a crisis that stretches beyond the walls of a single institution. Speaking under conditions of anonymity, a security source revealed, "The problem is bigger than it is thought, and it is difficult to fathom how quickly this issue can be remedied unless a complete overhaul is carried out.”

The roots of this crisis can be traced back to a complex history. Since the inception of a defector program for Al-Shabaab in 2014, the ranks of NISA have swelled with recruits, unwittingly facilitating the sinister designs of Al-Shabaab’s intelligence wing, Amniyat. The infiltration allowed the extremist group to orchestrate a series of audacious and lethal attacks, including the targeted assassination of former Mogadishu Mayor Abdirahman Omar and the mysterious ‘death’ of a prominent young female NISA officer, Ikran Tahlil Farah in June 2021.

Al-Shabaab’s audacity reached new heights under the watchful eye of Mahad Mohamed Salad, who assumed the helm of NISA in late May 2022. The association between Salad and Al-Shabaab leaders raised chilling questions about the extent of compromise within the very echelons of power.

Al-Shabaab’s bold attacks have left an indelible scar on the nation. A relentless onslaught has yielded a harrowing toll, with more than 1,470 valiant soldiers and commanders losing their lives between June 2022 and May 2023, according to figures provided by the National Security Committee and whose details still kept secret. The unrelenting strikes have amplified suspicions that a wellspring of intelligence has emboldened the extremist group, granting them the ability to meticulously plan and execute their nefarious operations.

"Between June 2022 and May 2023, the frequency of attacks surpasses what Al-Shabaab had achieved in the previous three years, particularly targeting military objectives,” observed Abdirahman Nur, a counter-terrorism analyst.

He emphasized, "The execution of these significant and high-profile attacks by Al-Shabaab necessitates access to credible intelligence information and human resources. This raises questions about potential anomalies.”

Amidst the dozens of attacks, notable military figures, including both U.S. and Turkish-trained officers, were targeted and slain by the assailants, with several being recognized as Mahad Salad’s critics and notably originating from rival clans to his own.

In the wake of the harrowing suicide bombing assault that struck a military base in Mogadishu on the 24th of July, a resounding chorus of voices emerged, with Members of Parliament and grieving families of fallen soldiers refusing to be silenced by the horrors. Even the Speaker of Parliament, Sheikh Adan Madobe, could not withhold his own impassioned plea to demand ‘accountability and honest investigation’.

The collective call reverberated with clarity: an unequivocal demand for NISA Director Mahad Salad’s inclusion in the roster of suspects under investigation. Yet, disconcerting reports surfaced, alleging that President Hassan Sheikh swiftly interceded, wielding influence to exert palpable pressure upon the Speaker of Parliament, ultimately compelling the abandonment of the request.

The intricate web of infiltration delves into various captivating incidents. In a stunning twist, Mahad Karate (also known as Abdirahman Warsame), the U.S. Government-designated deputy emir of Al-Shabaab, took center stage as NISA intercepted communications between him and two young members of his family who had been detained in Mogadishu in May this year.

Set in Mogadishu’s Hodan neighborhood, an initial investigation revealed their alleged involvement as intelligence agents and were subsequently detained at Godka Jilacow. They were, however, freed following the intervention of Mahad Salad, ostensibly stalling the active probe adding a layer of complexity to this covert affair.

A disconcerting number of young NISA officers, some previously part of the extremist group, have ascended into leadership roles, potentially compromising national security. The apparent motivations behind this manipulation range from financial incentives and protection promises to the potent mix of clan rivalry and ideological enticements. Former NISA officer Gedi Ali’s astonishment at their unhindered ascent into pivotal positions underlines the urgency of comprehensive vetting mechanisms.

The consequences of this infiltration extend far beyond NISA’s walls. The insidious reach of Al-Shabaab is painted starkly by Minister Daud Aweys, revealing an alarming pattern of moles within various government departments.

"The Federal Government of Somalia, with a particular focus on NISA, has conducted extensive investigations and vigilantly monitored the situation over an extended period. These efforts have unveiled a disconcerting reality: there exist individuals within the security agencies and government departments who have been clandestinely funneling information to Al-Shabaab,” he elaborated.

As the intricate layers of this narrative unravel, the story casts a shadow of doubt over the very institutions sworn to protect the nation, demanding a response that goes beyond surface-level measures.

And that was exactly what has been described by the senior police officials, in their recent briefing to the president, hold a steadfast conviction that virtually no ministry or government agency has remained immune to the infiltration of Al-Shabaab as they underscored the complex web of allegiances and interests, the impact of Al-Shabaab’s infiltration as far-reaching.

The magnitude of this crisis challenges Somalia’s resilience and necessitates a comprehensive response to stem the tide of compromise that has seeped into the heart of the nation.