A Sudanese businessman involved in gold processing and mineral exports has been killed in northern Somalia after a reported confrontation with a member of his personal security team, with the suspect fleeing the scene and prompting a police manhunt.
The businessman, identified as Abdalle Sudaani, was reportedly shot on Sunday, October 4, in Milxo, an area in Somalia’s Sanaag region known for its mineral deposits and mining activities.
Local sources said the shooting left Abdalle with serious injuries. He was subsequently rushed to Bosaso for medical attention but succumbed to his wounds after arriving in the port city.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, with preliminary accounts pointing to a disagreement between the businessman and one of the guards assigned to protect him.
According to the initial reports, the two men had a dispute before the guard allegedly opened fire on Abdalle. The suspect is said to have escaped shortly after the incident, leaving investigators searching for answers about what triggered the confrontation.
Authorities had yet to establish the precise motive behind the killing, and no detailed official account of the events leading up to the shooting had been provided by the time of publication.
Search launched for suspect
Security personnel are investigating the fatal shooting and pursuing the guard suspected of being responsible for the attack.
The suspect reportedly fled after the incident, and his whereabouts remained unknown as the search continued.
Investigators are expected to establish the sequence of events that preceded the shooting, including the nature of the disagreement between the two men and what may have prompted it to turn violent.
The available accounts have not established whether the dispute was connected to the businessman’s commercial activities or arose from a separate disagreement. The motive therefore remains unconfirmed.
Business interests in Somalia’s mineral-rich north
Abdalle had reportedly spent a considerable period in Milxo, where he was engaged in businesses associated with mineral extraction, gold processing and the export of the precious metal.
His activities placed him in a locality where mining has become a significant source of commercial activity, attracting both Somali and foreign entrepreneurs interested in exploiting the area’s mineral resources.
Milxo, situated in Sanaag in northern Somalia, is known for its mineral wealth. Mining operations in the area have drawn traders and investors, while local residents have also participated in the extraction of minerals.
The sector encompasses activities ranging from digging for mineral deposits to processing recovered materials and preparing gold for export, providing a commercial base for businesses operating in the area.