Afgoye(Mogadishu24)-Somalia’s Security forces have on Tuesday arrested 28 people who were on their way to join Al-Shabaab militants after carrying out a well coordinated operation at an area close to Afgoye district in lower Shabelle region.

“The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) apprehended 28 individuals, 25 of whom were attempting to join the group. They were on their way to the lower Shabelle region in a minibus,” the Ministry of Information said in a statement.

“The group consists of the vehicle’s driver, the two conductors, and 25 individuals, primarily teenagers and middle-aged men, they were Al-Shabaab recruits and they were on a mini-bus heading to areas under the group control in the region,” the statement added.

Al-Shabaab did not comment on the latest security operation in lower Shabelle region and NISA’s Statement on the captives so far, but the group said its fighters killed at least one Government soldier and injured four others in grenade attack in Mogadishu’s Shangani district on Monday evening.

This arrest comes a day after 11 government officials were arraigned at the Somali Military Court on allegations that they were linked to Al-Shabaab terrorist organization.

In recent months, Somalia has intensified its efforts to strengthen intelligence agencies to combat those who provide financial or ideological support to Al-Shabaab, as well as their sympathizers.

Last month, the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), in cooperation with Kenyan authorities and detectives, arrested Sufyan Sheikh Ahmed, who was accused of being an Al-Shabaab sympathizer.

The Intelligence Agency announced his arrest in Nairobi, stating that he is linked to the propagation of extremist ideologies that pose a threat to peace and stability in Somalia and the region.

NISA also announced the arrest of Zakaria Kamal Sufi, who is alleged to have facilitated the transportation of weapons to Al-Shabaab from abroad. Zakaria was taken into custody by Kenyan detectives in Mombasa, where he was ordered to report to the police station daily.