Bossaso, Somalia — The police chief in Somalia's Puntland government has denied media reports of Puntland security forces searching for politicians to arrest, Garowe Online reports.

Puntland Police Commissioner Gen. Mohamed Said Jaqanaf stated that Somali media reports on allegations of police searching for politicians to arrest in Puntland are untrue.

Some Somali media have broadcasted reports that Puntland security forces are searching for politicians, but Puntland's police chief told reporters on Thursday that such reports are "completely false."

"Those are baseless allegations. Puntland police have not gone to politicians homes or conducted any searches for politicians, however anyone who contributes to insecurity will be arrested," said Gen. Jaqanaf.

According to police officials, Puntland police arrested Mr. Farah Abdullahi this week in Bossaso on charges related to inciting insecurity. Mr. Abdullahi was former a government official during the term of ex-Puntland President Adde Muse.

Gen. Jaqanaf stated that Mr. Abdullahi was released on Thursday after being bailed out by family members.