By Mohamed Qaal - Reporter
Somalia, 26 October 2025 – The Puntland State of Somalia has warned that anyone found with the national identity card issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) will be arrested and imprisoned.
The warning was issued on Tuesday night by Puntland’s Minister of Information, Mohammud Aidid Dirir, who expressed concern that the ID cards were being obtained by members of Al-Shabaab, “whom the federal government has allowed to register.”
He maintained that Puntland considers Al-Shabaab an enemy and will not hesitate to arrest anyone found with the NIRA card.
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“Whoever takes the NIRA card, we in Puntland consider Al-Shabaab an enemy. If (President) Hassan called for Al-Shabaab to take the NIRA card, then anyone who is seen with the NIRA card is an enemy, and he will be arrested.” he said.
Minister Dirir's warning follows remarks by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Tuesday that intelligence reports indicate Al-Shabaab has directed its members to obtain the ID cards.
The President dared the militants to proceed with their plans, saying “let them take it,” which he described as a way to track their information.Puntland had already banned the issuance of NIRA ID cards within its territory before this matter came to light.
