Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency announced on Wednesday that it had thwarted an attempt to smuggle a Somali girl out of the country to Libya, following an investigation prompted by suspicious travel arrangements.
In a press statement, the agency said immigration officers initiated a verification process after raising concerns about the minor’s planned journey. The probe revealed that the girl, who had been taken from Las Anod, was travelling with individuals suspected of involvement in human smuggling networks.
Officials reported that the suspects attempted to fraudulently secure travel documents to facilitate her departure. However, the plan was intercepted due to what the agency described as the swift intervention of immigration officers at the airport.
The case has since been referred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to pursue further inquiries and legal action against those allegedly involved in the smuggling attempt.
The Immigration and Citizenship Agency reiterated its warning about the growing risks of human trafficking, stressing that authorities will intensify efforts to dismantle smuggling networks operating in and beyond Somalia.
“Protecting Somali citizens is a national obligation and a priority,” the agency said.
In recent years, Somali youth have increasingly used Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport to travel toward transit destinations such as Libya, Algeria, and Egypt, often attempting to reach Europe through irregular and highly dangerous migration routes.
