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🛒 تسوق الآنLibyan Security Dismantles Somali Kidnapping Gang in Tripoli
Libyan Security Dismantles Somali Kidnapping Gang in Tripoli
Raid frees two victims after gang members filmed torture to extort ransom from families
Libyan security forces have dismantled a criminal network composed of Somali nationals operating in Tripoli, arresting key members and freeing two victims who were subjected to severe torture in a case that highlights the ongoing challenge of organised crime linked to irregular migration in Libya.
The operation, carried out by the Fifth Division of the Support of Security Directorates Agency in Tajoura — approximately 21 kilometres east of Tripoli — followed precise intelligence reports revealing the existence of an organised criminal cell preying on vulnerable Somali nationals residing in the capital.
How the Gang Operated
According to an official statement released on Saturday evening, the gang targeted fellow Somali nationals, abducting them and holding them in inhumane conditions. The captors then recorded footage of the torture being inflicted on their victims and sent the videos to the victims' families to demand large ransom payments for their release.
Agency officials described the gang's methods as reflecting an unprecedented level of brutality and exploitation, noting that the suspects used the victims' vulnerable status as irregular migrants to maximise psychological pressure on their relatives abroad.
The Raid and Arrests
Acting on intelligence, security forces raided the location used by the gang, arresting one Somali national on site and freeing two victims who were undergoing severe physical torture. Both victims received urgent medical care and were transferred to a medical facility for treatment.
The agency confirmed that other gang members attempted to flee toward coastal cities, using irregular migration routes in an attempt to leave Libyan territory. However, security agencies intensified pursuit operations to prevent their escape and thwart their attempts to cross the border.
Ongoing Investigation and Prosecution
Extended investigations with the primary suspect led to his referral to the Public Prosecutor's Office. Continued pursuit operations later resulted in the arrest of a second suspect, described as one of the network's most prominent members, directly implicated in carrying out the kidnappings and torture documented on video.
The Support of Security Directorates Agency confirmed it will continue its security efforts until all members of the criminal formation are apprehended and referred to the judiciary. The agency also called on citizens to cooperate with authorities and report any information that could help locate remaining fugitives, having published visual materials containing their photographs and descriptions on its official platforms.
Wider Context: Migration Crisis in Libya
This case unfolds against a backdrop of recurring crimes linked to illegal migration in Libya. In May 2026, three bodies were found washed ashore near the city of Ajdabiya in eastern Libya, an incident that brought to the fore the tragedy of migrants being held in secret hideouts and subjected to starvation and torture.
The United Nations has continuously warned about the situation of migrants in Libya. A UN report published on 17 February 2026 documented widespread and systematic human rights violations against migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, including killings, torture, sexual violence, and human trafficking. The report underscored the persistent security and humanitarian challenges associated with the migration file in Libya.
Strategic Importance of the Operation
This operation marks a significant step in Libya's efforts to combat transnational organised crime networks that exploit the country's security challenges. By targeting criminal cells involved in kidnapping and extortion — particularly those preying on migrant communities — Libyan security agencies are demonstrating growing operational capacity to disrupt sophisticated criminal enterprises operating within the capital.
The dismantling of this Somali gang also sends a clear signal to organised crime networks that use Libya as a base for cross-border illegal activities. Security analysts suggest that sustained, intelligence-led operations of this nature are essential to rebuilding public trust in law enforcement institutions and addressing the humanitarian crisis affecting vulnerable migrant populations in the country.
— Libya Press / Security Desk
