Puntand’s Minister for Ports Said Mohamed Rage was captured by Somali pirates near Jariban district in Mudug region following an ambush earlier on Monday, officials confirmed.
Deputy Interior Minister Ali Yusuf Ali told VOA Somali Service that the Minister was captured briefly by the pirates after ambushing his convoy. Rage was reportedly on his way to the coastal areas which is actively operated by the pirates.
Mr. Ali said the Minister was later released by the pirates after few hours. “The Minister is free, he is meeting with local elders,” he said.
Two people were killed in the attack including a bodyguard. Mr. Ali says the Minister was unhurt in the attack.
Officials in Somalia's Puntland region say pirates briefly abducted a local government minister Monday as he tried to enter a pirate-controlled area.