Somali National News Agency
So
Ar
Search
  • Home
  • Local News
    Local NewsShow More
    Somali Defense Minister Discusses Enhanced Military Cooperation with New Italian Attaché
    December 13, 2025
    Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre Announces Cabinet Reshuffle; Appoints New Ministers for Commerce and Public Works
    December 13, 2025
    Somalia Convenes 35th EASF Policy Organs Meeting to Bolster Regional Security Frameworks
    December 13, 2025
    Deputy Prime Minister Receives Voter Registration Card Ahead of Benadir Regional Council Elections
    December 13, 2025
    Dr. Hodan Osman Becomes First Somali Diplomat to Present Credentials to President of Vietnam
    December 13, 2025
  • World News
    World NewsShow More
    International Non-Profit Sector Forum opens in Riyadh with 1,500 specialists in attendance
    December 4, 2025
    Small innovations, big impact: How China leverages technology to enhance daily life
    November 28, 2025
    Dozens killed in DR Congo after bridge collapses at copper, cobalt mine
    November 17, 2025
    Four killed after two boats carrying migrants capsize off Libya’s coast
    November 16, 2025
    A car fleeing police slams into a bar in Florida, killing 4 and injuring 11
    November 9, 2025
  • Articles
    ArticlesShow More
    A Challenge to Somali Men and a Wake-Up Call for Women
    December 8, 2025
    Somalia Signals a New Chapter as President Pushes Unified Strategy at Doha Forum
    December 7, 2025
    OPINION – Somalia at the edge of defeating terrorism
    December 6, 2025
    Capital Without Guardrails: The Dangerous Gap Between Investor Appetite and Regulatory Safety
    December 4, 2025
    Twenty Years of Service: Dr. Habeeb and the Journey of Mental Health Care in Somalia
    November 30, 2025
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    America’s Tariff Weaponization: An Economic Analysis of 500% Tariffs and the Inevitable Bipolar Bifurcation
    October 19, 2025
    Somalia Unveils the Blueprint for a Modern and Sustainable Mogadishu
    December 21, 2024
    Djibouti Launches $57.4 Million Youth Entrepreneurship Project to Combat Climate Change
    November 25, 2024
    FM meets Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia
    October 28, 2024
    President Hassan Sheikh Inaugurates New LPG Storage Center in Mogadishu
    May 12, 2024
  • Sports
    SportsShow More
    Somalia Falls to Oman in Penalty Shootout After Strong Performance in Arab Cup Qualifier
    November 26, 2025
    Somalia’s U-17 National Team Concludes CECAFA Campaign with a Strong Victory
    November 24, 2025
    Somalia, Sudan, Djibouti, South Sudan set eyes on FIFA Arab Cup
    November 24, 2025
    Somali Ambassador to Kenya Congratulates Dekadaha FC on Historic CAF Confederation Cup Victory
    September 28, 2025
    Somalia’s Dekadaha FC faces Sudan’s Alzamala Sports Club in Nairobi
    September 20, 2025
  • Tenders
    TendersShow More
Reading: The Deceptive Killer Hiding in Plain Sight: The Tragic Tale of Dr. Fanah
Share
Font ResizerAa
Somali National News AgencySomali National News Agency
  • SOMALI
  • ARABIC
Search
  • Home
  • Local News
  • World News
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Tenders
Follow US
©2023 || All rights reserved SONNA
Somali National News Agency > Blog > Articles > The Deceptive Killer Hiding in Plain Sight: The Tragic Tale of Dr. Fanah
Articles

The Deceptive Killer Hiding in Plain Sight: The Tragic Tale of Dr. Fanah

By Osman
Last updated: February 9, 2023
5 Min Read
Share

The thought of a killer hiding among us in plain sight is a chilling one. It raises questions about the trust we place in our neighbors and the strangers we encounter in our daily lives. The idea that someone who looks like a normal, everyday person could be capable of such heinous acts is a fear that has been exploited by movies, books, and TV shows for years. But the reality is that these types of individuals do exist, and they often slip through the cracks of society, blending in with the rest of us.

These people may have a job, a family, and a social circle, but they are hiding a dark side that they keep carefully concealed from the world. They use their charisma and charm to manipulate those around them, making it nearly impossible to suspect their true nature.

The truth is that these killers can be found in any community and can take on many different forms. They may be a coworker, a neighbor, or even a family member. The fact that they can live among us for years, unnoticed and undiscovered, is a scary reminder of how little we truly know about those around us.

It is a sobering thought that the person sitting next to us on the bus, standing in line at the grocery store, or sharing a meal with us at a restaurant, could be hiding a sinister

secret. This is a reminder to always stay vigilant and to never take the trust we place in others for granted. It’s a wake-up call to be aware of our surroundings and to always listen to our instincts. Because sometimes, the greatest threat to our safety is the killer hiding in plain sight

A recent case in Somalia serves as a haunting example of a killer hiding in plain sight. A man, known as “Dr. Fanah”, was sentenced to death by a military court for being a top operative of the terror group Al-Shabaab. Despite his fake credentials, he managed to fool everyone for years as he posed as a neurosurgeon and sometimes as a military general. He used his disguise to carry out deadly missions assigned to him by the group.

Dr. Fanah’s ability to blend in with society and deceive those around him highlights the very real threat of individuals hiding in plain sight. He took advantage of the lack of a nationally accepted identity card system in Somalia and had multiple false IDs, including one from the UNDP, to further his disguise.

Dr. Fanah’s journey from a member of Al-Shabaab to a highly respected neurosurgeon highlights the dangers of individuals hiding in plain sight. Despite his association with the terror group as far back as 2007, he was able to disguise himself as a medical professional and carry out his missions without detection.

It wasn’t until he was found suspiciously dressed in a military.

uniform in Beledweyne town, 335 km north of Mogadishu, that his true identity was revealed. The fact that he was able to fool people for so long serves as a cautionary tale about the need to always be vigilant and never take trust for granted.

His admission that he chose to disguise as a neurosurgeon because other specialisations seemed more complex, shows the level of cunning and deception that individuals are capable of. It’s a reminder to never underestimate the abilities of those who wish to do harm, and to always be cautious and stay alert to potential threats in our communities.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of being aware of our surroundings and to never take trust for granted. Despite the many years he spent hiding in plain sight, Dr. Fanah was eventually caught and brought to justice. It’s a reminder that no matter how cunning and deceptive these killers may be, they can always be brought to light.

By Abdiqani Abdullahi

Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Email Copy Link Print

MORE NEWS

A Challenge to Somali Men and a Wake-Up Call for Women

ArticlesCulture
December 8, 2025

Global Council for Tolerance and Peace Applauds Somalia’s Determination Toward Peace, Stability, and Development

Mogadishu, SONNA — The Global Council for Tolerance and Peace has expressed deep appreciation for…

December 10, 2025

Turkish Red Crescent distributes food parcels in Somalia

MOGADISHU (SONNA):Turkish Red Crescent conducted food distribution in Mogadishu's Kahda district on Saturday. Red Crescent…

April 25, 2021

US imposes fresh visa restrictions on Ugandan officials over poll

NAIROBI (SONNA):The United States says it is imposing visa restrictions on “those believed to be…

April 17, 2021

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Jointly Building a China-Arab Community with a Shared Future in the New Era

The 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum will be held in Beijing on May 30. Chinese President…

Articles
May 28, 2024

Small innovations, big impact: How China leverages technology to enhance daily life

At a recently held home service robot conference, humanoid robots captivated audiences with lifelike demonstrations across a variety of household…

ArticlesTechnologyWorld News
November 28, 2025

Celebrations of the Independence week fill the streets of Mogadishu

Mogadishu, (SONNA) - The people of the capital of Mogadishu and the country in general are preparing to commemorate the…

ArticlesLocal News
June 25, 2024

SONNA Celebrates 61 Years of Excellence in Somali Media

The Somali National News Agency (SONNA) marks its 61st anniversary as a vital institution in Somalia’s media landscape, continuing its…

Articles
January 5, 2025

Somali National News Agency established in 1964. It is one of the main pillars of the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism.

  • Home
  • Local News
  • World News
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Tenders
  • SNTV
  • RADIO MOGADISHU
  • DALKA JOURNAL
  • TOURISM DEPARTMENT

Follow US: 

  • MoICT
  • VILLA SOMALIA
  • OPM SOMALIA

All rights reserved SONNA

©2023

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?