Malé, Maldives – Presidential security’s Commanding Officer, Colonel Abdullah Ibrahim has been suspended from his job after the President’s motorcade got stuck in the middle of an opposition protest last Monday night.
It is learned that the President’s security unit has been temporarily handed over to Deputy Commander, Major Ibrahim Haleem.
In addition to Colonel Abdullah Ibrahim, several other soldiers working under him have also been suspended. An internal committee chaired by Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdullah Shamal has begun investigating the incident.
Returning after an event in Hulhumalé, President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih’s motorcade reached the opposition PPM office on Bodothakurfaanu Magu around 11:00pm, Monday night. The opposition members obstructed the motorcade and stopped the entire motorcade.
Videos circulating on social media showed the protesters refusing to leave the scene when the army’s Special Security Force came down from their vehicles with weapons and ordered them to leave.
However, the President’s bodyguards were forced to turn around and take another road after protestors refused to clear the path.
The motorcade was stopped for about 15 minutes while Commanding Officer Colonel Abdullah was also present.
The Commanding Officer or Deputy Commanding Officer usually attends ceremonies and events attended by the President.
The 241 Committee of the Parliament has also started investigating the failure of the President’s security.
