Commissioner of El-wak district, Ibrahim Gulied Adan told Sunatimes that the defected militant leader was a senior military figure for the group.

Adan said that the commander has taken part in several al-Shabaab battles in various places including Afgoye town, Bay, Bakol, Gedo and Jubba regions prior to his surrender.

He added that the defection of the senior commander came after he had disagreements with al-Shabaab officials over alleged mistreatments to the ordinary people in the area.

The official also stated that the defected commander is being held in El-wak police station for more interrogations; however, his name and full identity have not been exposed.