Soldier shoots dead minibus driver at illegal checkpoint in Middle Shabelle

[Deeq A.]

Beledweyne (HOL) - Security forces in central Somalia have arrested a Somali soldier for shooting dead a minibus driver during a dispute at an illegal checkpoint near Balcad town on Tuesday. According to locals, the murder happened in the morning as the van travelled from Somalia's capital Mogadishu to Jowhar. The illegal checkpoint was set up by rogue soldiers who reportedly demanded a payment of about 100,000 Somali shillings. The minibus driver told the soldier that he could only pay 90,000 before an argument ensued, and the driver was shot dead. The minibus was ferrying over a half dozen passengers who witnessed the murder. The driver's body was left on the side of the checkpoint for hours before being removed by locals for a proper Islamic burial. The soldier was arrested after civilians, and minibus drivers arrived at the scene of the murder and demanded authorities take action. The CID will take over the investigation, and the soldier will be court-martialed. Tuesday's murder comes days after Somalia's President demanded that illegal checkpoints in Middle Shabelle be removed, warning that the government will prosecute rogue soldiers harshly for extorting civilians.

Source: Hiiraan Online