Another Puntland MP killed, suspect caught

19 Jan 19, 2010 - 11:20:01 AM

An unknown assailant has killed a lawmaker in Bossaso, the commercial capital of Somalia's northern and Puntland State, a relatively stable region.

The assailant attacked MP Mahammed Hassan Jibril while inside his bookshop on Tuesday night and opened fire, authorities said. The lawmaker died of gunshot wounds later at the hospital.

Puntland police units immediately arrived at the scene and arrested a suspect who is currently held in police custody, according to reports that reached Garowe Online.

The assassinated lawmaker recently joined the parliament after his late father died of natural causes. MP Jibril hailed from Puntland's Ceyn region.

Security officials who were contacted by Garowe Online confirmed the arrest of a main suspect and two other people who are suspected of having aided the killer.

Jibril is the second lawmaker to be assassinated during this month of January.

Two gunmen were arrested earlier this month after they killed MP Abdullahi Ali Osman in Bossaso.

Confidential reports tell Garowe Online says that the killings of the lawmakers has led to the government's pledge to pay security guards for all lawmakers.