Al-Shabaab Launches Deadly Attack on Somalia’s Main Intelligence Prison in Mogadishu

 

Mogadishu, Somalia – October 5, 2025:

Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, was rocked on Saturday afternoon by a deadly attack targeting the highly fortified Godka Jilicow detention facility, one of the most secure prisons operated by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). The incident began with a powerful suicide car bombing, followed by intense gunfire between security forces and armed assailants believed to be linked to the al-Shabaab militant group.

Located in Mogadishu’s Bondhere district, the Godka Jilicow prison is notorious for holding high-profile terror suspects and convicted militants. Witnesses reported that a massive explosion shook the area, sending plumes of smoke into the sky and triggering panic among nearby residents. Moments later, heavy gunfire erupted as Somali security personnel engaged the attackers in a fierce firefight.

The attack came only hours after the Federal Government of Somalia announced new security adjustments across the city, including the removal of several long-standing concrete roadblocks that had been in place for years. These barriers, though inconvenient for traffic, had been a key part of Mogadishu’s security defense against suicide bombings. The timing of the attack has raised serious questions about whether the militants exploited the recent security changes.

At the time of reporting, the exact number of casualties remains uncertain. Early reports indicate there were both fatalities and injuries, but authorities have yet to release official figures. The explosion caused extensive damage to nearby buildings and vehicles, while several roads surrounding the area were sealed off to prevent further attacks and allow emergency responders to access the site.

Paramedics and journalists faced challenges reaching the scene due to the heavy security lockdown. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as ambulances rushed to transport the wounded, while security reinforcements were deployed to prevent any secondary assaults.

No group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack. However, al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist organization, has carried out similar operations in the past targeting government facilities, military bases, and hotels in Mogadishu. The group continues to pose a major threat to Somalia’s fragile stability, despite ongoing counterterrorism operations supported by African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) forces and international partners.

This latest attack underscores the persistent insecurity facing Mogadishu and the challenges the government faces in safeguarding the capital. Analysts say the assault on such a heavily fortified facility is a bold signal that al-Shabaab remains capable of executing high-profile attacks even in the heart of the capital.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement, but security sources confirm that investigations are underway to determine how the attackers breached multiple layers of defense. Residents have been urged to remain vigilant as patrols continue in and around the Bondhere district.

The tragic incident once again highlights the urgent need for sustained intelligence coordination, stronger urban defense systems, and community cooperation to combat terrorism in Somalia