Hiiraan Online
Thursday February 22, 2018
New intel chief takes over the reigns at the National Intelligence & Security Agency. Hussein Osman Hussein (left) is pictured with acting director Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur (Jama) at NISA HQs, February 21, 2018.
Mogadishu (HOL) - The
newly appointed Director of the National Intelligence and Security
Agency (NISA), Hussein Osman Hussein officially assumed office on Wednesday, barely
two days after his appointment.
In a handing over ceremony held
at the agency's headquarters in Mogadishu, Hussein, a former deputy
health minister took the reins of office from from deputy NISA chief,
Abdikadir Mohamed Nur.
The event was attended by the Minister
for Security, Mohamed Abukar Duaale Islow, as well as other
high-ranking officials from the security apparatus.
Speaking at the ceremony, the new spy chief vowed to reform the institution.
Hussein was appointed on Monday by Somali cabinet during special meeting in Mogadishu.
Hussein
was named NISA chief on Monday following an emergency cabinet meeting.
Immediate changes were made to the top brass of Somalia's security
apparatus with new commanders in the intelligence, police and custodial
corps.
General Bashir Abdi Mohamed has been promoted from the
deputy police chief to then Chief of Police; while Gen Bashir Mohamed
Jama “Gobe” returns to his post as the chief of the Custodial Corps.
"Bashir Gobe" previously served as the Director of Somali National
Intelligence Agency (NSA) in 2013.
Hussein's predecessor,
Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanboloshe was sacked last August by the same
cabinet after Al-Shabaab attacked a hotel in the Somali capital.