Mogadishu (KAAB TV) – The Somali National Army has confiscated a military vehicle that was found in the possession of a former military officer, Colonel Ali Hubey, in an operation that underscores the government’s ongoing efforts to tighten control over military assets and enforce accountability within the armed forces.
According to an official statement shared on social media, the vehicle—marked with the official insignia of the Somali military—was seized while being driven near Lido Beach in Mogadishu.
The vehicle was under the control of Col. Ali Hubey, a former member of the armed forces who no longer holds an active role within the military structure.
Col. Hubey, who previously served in various senior positions within the Somali National Army, particularly in the Hirshabelle State region, has responded publicly to the incident, though the nature of his reaction has not yet been fully disclosed.
Sources close to the matter say that the former officer has expressed discontent with the seizure, but authorities maintain that the action was necessary and lawful.
This development comes at a critical time for Somalia’s Ministry of Defense, which has launched a nationwide campaign aimed at reforming the military sector.
Central to this campaign is the initiative to audit and recover all government-issued weapons, vehicles, and equipment that are currently unaccounted for or believed to be in unauthorized hands.
Just one day prior to the vehicle seizure, the Ministry of Defense issued a stern warning to individuals and entities found to be in illegal possession of military property.
The warning emphasized that misuse of military assets poses a threat to national security and undermines efforts to build a disciplined, accountable military force.
“The Somali government will not tolerate the unauthorized use of military vehicles or government-issued arms by individuals outside the formal chain of command,” the Ministry stated. “These assets are the property of the Somali people and must be protected accordingly.”
The seizure of Col. Hubey’s vehicle is seen as a clear message that the federal government is committed to restoring order within its security institutions and preventing the misuse of military resources.
It also reflects a broader push to modernize the Somali armed forces and align them with international standards of military professionalism and accountability.
This incident adds to growing public scrutiny around how former military personnel retain or utilize government-issued assets, a practice that critics say has contributed to instability and weakened command and control in the past.
The Somali government, under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, continues to prioritize security sector reform as part of its broader state-building agenda, with a focus on disarming rogue elements, reclaiming public assets, and strengthening institutions responsible for law and order.