MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Federal Government on Monday publicly displayed a large cache of weapons and ammunition allegedly recovered from the Elite Hotel in Mogadishu, a property said to be owned by former Minister of Internal Security Abdullahi Mohamed Nur.

The weapons were presented by the Somali Police Force following a security operation conducted over the past 24 hours in the capital. Authorities stated that the arms were discovered inside a room within the hotel during the operation.

Addressing journalists at the hotel premises, Banadir Regional Police Commissioner Moalim Mahdi said the recovered arsenal included both heavy and light weapons, as well as substantial quantities of ammunition.

He rejected allegations that security forces had unlawfully forced entry into the room where the weapons were found, insisting that the operation was carried out in accordance with security procedures.

“The weapons were recovered from a room inside the hotel, and claims that the room was broken into are unfounded,” the commissioner told reporters.

Moalim Mahdi described the alleged storage of weapons inside a commercial hotel as a serious threat to public security and national stability, noting that such facilities are intended to serve civilians and visitors.

“It is unacceptable for a hotel located in a densely populated area and intended for public accommodation to be used for storing weapons,” he said. “Such actions directly undermine the security and stability of the capital.”

The police commissioner also issued a warning to political actors and individuals accused of keeping unauthorized weapons, stressing that security agencies would respond firmly to any attempts to destabilize the country.

“If one weapon is brought forward, we are prepared to seize ten,” he said. “It is unfortunate that a facility built through investment and intended to serve the public is allegedly being used to store weapons aimed at threatening Somalia’s statehood.”

The federal government has not yet announced whether arrests have been made in connection with the operation.

The incident comes amid heightened political tensions and ongoing security operations in Mogadishu, where authorities have intensified efforts to curb illegal arms possession and reinforce public security.