Garowe — The Governor of Puntland's Mudug region Mohamed Yusuf Jama Tigey has blamed Galmudug authority for not cooperating with Puntland authorities in Galkayo to combat crimes on Wednesday, Garowe Online reports.

Speaking on Puntland-based independent station Radio Garowe, Governor Tigey said Galkayo is a town connecting vast northern side to south Galkayo where Galmudug authority is based and the "criminal gangs" flee to Barahley neighborhood of southern Galkayo after carrying out assassinations in the northern side.

"Galmudug seems too weak to keep those criminal gangs away from the northern side and they purport that they are existing authority but Puntland government will never cease its efforts to cleanse the town of crimes and targeted assassinations which almost take place in the north," added Governor Tigey.

Continuing, the governor said: "Our security operations has been successful in reducing crimes and during this month alone, important civilians including Human right activist and Local NGO official were killed in the north of Galkayo, such planned assassinations are cowardly acts and we will speed up our security operations".

Puntland government officials previously condemned Galmudug authority for providing safe havens to the armed gangs who commit crimes in the northern side which situates more than two-thirds of the city and Galkayo is regarded as a strategic city and as a gateway for trade.

GAROWE ONLINE