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Puntland authorities have arrested a senior official from the Immigration and Nationality Authority in Garowe over accusations that he played a major role in helping smuggling networks move young Somalis out of the country. The official, who reportedly served as the deputy head of the Garowe Immigration Office, is suspected of issuing Somali passports illegally to large numbers of young people in recent months. Many of these youths were later intercepted at Puntland’s airports as they attempted to fly out of the country.
According to officials, the investigation began after security agencies noticed a sharp increase in young travelers carrying newly issued passports, many of which appeared suspicious or did not follow standard procedures. Authorities say the official ignored a temporary administrative order that restricts passport issuance to youth due to rising concerns about irregular migration. This order was put in place after Puntland identified smuggling networks that were using fake or improperly issued documents to send young Somalis on dangerous migration routes.
Security forces say the arrested official will face charges in court for allegedly violating administrative rules and enabling human smuggling operations. His case is now being treated as part of a broader crackdown on organized networks that profit from irregular migration. Puntland officials have repeatedly warned that anyone—whether government staff, private agents, or facilitators—who assists in smuggling activities will face legal consequences under the region’s anti-smuggling laws.
His arrest comes at a time when dozens of young men and women have been detained at Garowe Airport. Many of them had traveled from Mogadishu and were planning to move onward through Ethiopia as part of irregular migration journeys arranged by smugglers. Officials say these youths are often misled with false promises of job opportunities or safer routes to Europe and Gulf countries, only to find themselves stranded, exploited, or in life-threatening situations.
For years, Puntland has remained one of the main departure points for young Somalis seeking to migrate in search of better livelihoods. Smuggling groups have taken advantage of economic hardships, unemployment, and the hopes of young people who feel they have limited opportunities at home. These networks often operate secretly, arranging everything from travel funds to fake documents, and then transporting migrants through risky routes that expose them to abuse, detention, or even death.
Recent events have also highlighted the dangers faced by Somali migrants who attempt to travel through Libya. Earlier this month, 165 Somali migrants stranded in Libyan detention centers were flown back home with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Union. The plane first landed in Hargeisa, where 13 migrants were received, before continuing to Mogadishu with the remaining 152. Over 550 Somali migrants have been repatriated from Libya this year alone, a figure that shows the scale of the crisis and the growing number of young people taking hazardous journeys in search of better opportunities.
Puntland officials say they hope the latest arrest will send a strong message to public servants and anyone involved in document fraud or migrant trafficking. The government has also urged families to remain cautious and to avoid trusting smugglers who promise easy travel or quick access to foreign countries. Authorities say efforts will continue to dismantle the networks that encourage young people to risk their lives on irregular migration routes, while also working with national and international partners to create safer, legal alternatives for travel and economic opportunity.