Reports from Galkayo indicate that Mohamed Ali Abdulle (Bulac), the former commander of the Mudug Regional Police Counterterrorism Unit, has been detained, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his arrest and possible tensions within Puntland’s security leadership.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Bulac was taken into custody in recent days, although Puntland authorities have not publicly announced any formal charges against him.

Information emerging from security circles suggests that the arrest may be linked to internal disagreements and disputes within the police command structure rather than an ongoing counterterrorism operation or a publicly disclosed security-related case.

Local sources claim the disagreement involved senior police officials and may have stemmed from administrative or personal disputes.

However, these claims have not been independently verified, and security authorities have yet to issue an official explanation regarding the detention.

Bulac is a well-known security officer in Galkayo and previously led the Mudug Police Counterterrorism Unit.

He was also associated with the former Joint Intelligence Team (JIT), a security force that played a prominent role during periods of instability and armed confrontations in Galkayo.

In previous security crackdowns, Puntland forces detained several members linked to the JIT, a unit that had become influential in the region’s security landscape.

The development comes at a time when Puntland has been implementing significant changes within its security institutions.

In April 2026, President Said Abdullahi Deni approved a series of leadership reshuffles across the Puntland Police Force, appointing new regional commanders and senior officers as part of broader security reforms.

Security analysts note that such restructuring efforts often lead to shifts in command responsibilities and can occasionally expose disagreements within the ranks.

However, without an official statement from Puntland authorities, the exact reasons behind Bulac’s detention remain unclear.

Galkayo, Puntland’s largest city in Mudug region, has historically experienced security challenges, including armed clashes, political tensions and disputes involving various security forces.

Although the city has seen improvements in stability in recent years, developments involving senior security officials are often closely watched due to their potential impact on the region’s security environment.

As of now, Puntland authorities have not publicly commented on the case, and it remains uncertain whether Bulac will face formal charges or if the matter will be resolved through internal security and administrative procedures.