Reports from Waaberi District in the Benaadir region confirm that Samatar Sharif Ahmed, Villa Somalia director survived an assassination attempt targeting his vehicle.
The explosion heard across parts of Mogadishu, occurred near Dabka junction, while the director’s car was parked near a residential building soon before exiting it.
According to reports, Somali security forces, particularly NISA, were already at the scene conducting security checks. Witnesses say someone tried to attach explosives to the vehicle but fled before the blast went off.
Waaberi District Police affirmed that director Samatar is safe, though his vehicle was destroyed and left harmed by the roadside.
Security forces sealles off the area and have begun investigations to arrest individuals suspected of involvement in the attack.
Furthermore, Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, mentioning that they targeted a senior official from presidential residence, according to their media outlets.
Shabaab has regularly carried out direct attacks and bombings targeting Somali federal government officials and public institutions, at a time when the Somali government continues its ongoing operations against extremist groups in the country.
