The farmers were reportedly picked from Shinaha Qeybta Barrow area after they allegedly failed to pay 400,000 Somali shillings amounting to around twenty dollars for every hector of land.

Locals who spoke to Sunatimes on condition of anonymity in fear of reprisal said effort to secure the release of the detained farmers hit a snag after militants demanded 600,000 shillings.

The group has earlier compelled local farmers to pay a huge amount of money in effort to meet its growing needs.