Mogadishu, – Somalia’s Military Court has opened hearings into a major case involving a terror network linked to the militant group Al-Shabaab, following a security operation that foiled a large-scale bombing attempt on the capital. The case has drawn attention not only because of the suspects arrested but also because of an extraordinary revelation: a Somali security officer rejected a $50,000 bribe offered by Al-Shabaab to release their chief bomb-maker.
The operation led to the capture of Abdirahman Mahmoud “Ilkacase”, an engineer described by Somali authorities as one of Al-Shabaab’s most dangerous explosives experts. He was accused of masterminding and assembling large improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for the group. Alongside him, Nur Muhyadin Jibril was detained while attempting to smuggle explosives into Mogadishu using a donkey cart.
The donkey cart was intercepted on the outskirts of Mogadishu, near Bal’ad district, carrying seven hand grenades and eight landmines. Security forces say the arsenal was intended for coordinated attacks inside the capital.
According to court testimony, Ilkacase had initially joined Al-Shabaab in Hiraan region before being relocated to Mogadishu to oversee attacks. However, his plans collapsed after Nur Muhyadin, with whom he was living, was intercepted with the explosives. Under interrogation, Nur led security officers directly to Ilkacase, resulting in his capture.
Security officer Qooje, who played a leading role in the arrests, told the court that shortly after Ilkacase’s capture, Al-Shabaab intermediaries attempted to negotiate his release.
“The negotiations began with an offer of $10,000, then $20,000, and eventually climbed to nearly $50,000,” Qooje testified. “But we refused to compromise. Trust was impossible—neither side could guarantee the other’s word. Finally, the talks collapsed, and we stood by our mission.”
He added that senior officers were monitoring the conversations, which further strengthened the decision to reject the deal.
The failed bribery attempt highlights both the value Al-Shabaab places on its bomb-making engineers and the increasing resilience of Somali security forces against corruption and infiltration. Counterterrorism experts say that losing Ilkacase is a significant setback for the group’s operational capacity in Mogadishu.
Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked insurgent group, has waged a violent campaign against Somalia’s federal government for over 15 years, frequently using car bombs, landmines, and suicide attacks. The group maintains networks of skilled engineers who design explosives to maximize casualties, making figures like Ilkacase critical assets.
The Military Court is expected to continue hearings over the coming weeks. If convicted, the suspects could face the death penalty, in line with Somalia’s counterterrorism laws. The case has already drawn public attention as a rare example of Somali officers rejecting corruption in the face of immense pressure and personal risk.
The arrests underscore Somalia’s fragile but strengthening fight against Al-Shabaab. The foiling of this plot, and the refusal to bow to bribery, represents both a tactical victory against Al-Shabaab and a symbolic stand against corruption within Somalia’s security apparatus.
