In an interview with VOA Amharic Service, Mr. Lencho said the transfer of Sheikh Muse was part of an agreement between President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo's government and the Ethiopian government.

"I can confirm that he [Sheikh Muse] was transferred to our security agents. He is member of the terrorist group." Mr. Lencho added.

The minister gave no further details about how Ethiopia, which is known to "torture and humiliate its opponents, will deal with the captured officer.

Abdikarin Sheikh Muse, ONLF Executive committee member was arrested on August 23, from Galkayo in Mudug region, according to Ministry of Internal Security officer who spoke Somali Update Online in anonymity condition because he was not authorized to speak to media. He was then transferred to Mogadishu where he was held until August 27th before he was handed over to Ethiopian security agents in Jigjiga through a special flight from Mogadishu in transit to Baidoa, where Ethiopian forces, under African Union mission have military command centre.

Ethiopian government considers ONLF, an ethnic Somali separatist rebels fighting for self-determination of the Somali-Ethiopian region, as terror group.

In a statement, ONLF condemned the refoulement as illegal and blamed Somali government of violating the international refugee and political prisoners conventions while handings Sheikh Muse to the Ethiopian government which is known to "torture and humiliate its opponents". His family members and relatives were denied to visit him while in NISA detention in Mogadishu, ONLF said.

This is the first extradition case carried by the Federal Government of Somalia. Both Puntland and Somaliland have previously captured and transferred members of the rebel group to Ethiopia.

"The Somali government and the current president also violated the Somali constitution which recognises the rights of all Somalis to have the right of abode regardless of which part of the Somali nation they originate." the group said in the statement.

The transfer of Sheikh Muse inflicted public outrage as Somali people condemned the act as "breach of the laws of the land".