MOGADISHU, Somalia — At least three officers from Somalia’s Criminal Investigation Department have left the country amid an ongoing corruption investigation.
The sudden disappearance reportedly disrupted administrative services, renewing scrutiny over accountability in state institutions, reliable sources told Hortabin Media.
Operations at CID, especially the unit responsible for issuing police clearance certificates, have been suspended for three days following their departure, sources said.
The certificates are commonly required for passport applications and visa processing for both international and domestic travel in Somalia.
The suspected officers reportedly traveled to Kenya, Egypt, and the United Kingdom after the corruption investigation began.
One of the suspects was the head of the fingerprinting unit, who reportedly had no prior law enforcement experience before taking the position.
The Ministry of Finance and anti-corruption agencies are investigating allegations of corruption and financial misconduct involving the officers, according to a report seen by Hortabin Media.
The disruption has halted certificate processing, a revenue-generating service within the department, pending resolution of the investigation.
The dispute centers on control of income from certificates, which increased from $10 to $18 after officials added charges for photography and administrative processing.
The report seen by Hortabin Media said additional fees were collected through an EVC mobile money account, raising questions over the legal basis of the charges.
A dispute emerged between CID Commander Ibrahim Adan Dhayow and a fingerprinting department official identified as Mahad, according to the report.
Somalia’s police chief Asad Osman Diano was also drawn into the matter due to family ties with Mahad, though it was later resolved privately.
Since leadership changes at CID in January, employees have reported administrative confusion and declining efficiency, attributing the problems to disputes over departmental finances.
Nepotism and weak oversight in public institutions persist, with officials accused of appointing relatives to sensitive positions, undermining accountability and public trust.