By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 13 September 2026 It began with a cigarette lighter, but within moments the dispute escalated into a shooting that left Abdiaziz Sheikh Hussein dead. Four months later, the man convicted of killing him has been sentenced to death by firing squad.
The killing took place on May 15, 2026, in Luuq district in Somalia’s Gedo region. Mohamud Ahmed Farah, a soldier also known as ‘Captain Dhashiike’, was accused of deliberately shooting and killing Abdiaziz Sheikh Hussein.
According to details presented in court, the two men met at a house near the farming area of Luuq. The court said there had already been a dispute between them.
At the time of the incident, Captain Dhashiike had a cigarette and was looking for a lighter or matches. He asked a mutual friend, identified as Koofi, to find him something to light the cigarette with.
Hussein also had a lighter but, according to the prosecution’s account, put it in his pocket without giving it to the defendant.
Moments later, the disagreement turned deadly.
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The court said Captain Dhashiike fired two shots at Hussein with an AK-47 rifle. Hussein died from his injuries at the scene.
The case subsequently underwent investigation, and the Office of the Armed Forces Prosecutor requested that Mahamud Ahmed Farah be brought to trial. The request was approved on September 3, 2026.
During the proceedings, the Armed Forces Court gave both sides an opportunity to present their arguments and evidence in the case.
On Saturday, the court sentenced Farah to death by firing squad as retribution for the killing of Hussein.
A dispute that the court said began over something as small as a cigarette lighter ultimately ended with one man dead and another sentenced to death.