A high-ranking Somali military officer, Colonel Nur Mohamed Gabow, known widely as Nur Farey, has been shot dead in the Lower Shabelle region, in what appears to be a tragic case of internal military violence.
According to reports from the region, Colonel Nur Farey — commander of the 14th October Brigade of the Somali National Army — was shot and killed by an individual wearing a government military uniform. The shooting took place in Cadow Dibille, a rural area between Afgooye and Laanta Buur.
The colonel was reportedly leaving a house in the area when he was ambushed and fatally shot, dying on the spot. The assailant was also killed at the scene, although the motive behind the attack remains unknown.
The incident has sparked widespread concern and speculation, with security forces launching an immediate investigation. It remains unclear whether the attacker was an active-duty soldier, an infiltrator, or had any links to outside groups.
Colonel Nur Farey was a young, dynamic leader, trained extensively abroad — particularly in Italy — and known for his active role in liberating key areas of Lower Shabelle from militant control. Most recently, he was leading operations around Awdheegle, Afgooye, Sabiid, and Canoole, regions that have recently come under renewed attack from Al-Shabaab militants.
The 14th October Brigade was created in memory of the victims of the single deadliest terrorist attack in Africa, at Mogadishu’s K-5 junction which killed and injured 1000 people on October 14, 2017.
His sudden and suspicious death has prompted serious questions about internal security and discipline within the Somali armed forces, as well as the potential for infiltration or betrayal during a critical time in the fight against extremism.
This incident comes just as military activity intensifies in the Afgooye district, aimed at countering Al-Shabaab’s resurgence in Lower Shabelle — particularly after the group recently seized control of Awdheegle and other nearby areas.
The Federal Government of Somalia is now under pressure to explain the circumstances of the killing and prevent further breaches in the military’s chain of command.
