PRESS RELEASE 28 April 2012

A trainer working with the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) was killed on 27 April 2012 during an anti-piracy mission in Iskushuban District, Bari Region of Puntland State of Somalia. Lodewyk Pietersen, 55, was a South African national and married with a family.

The Government of Puntland State sends its sincere condolences to the victim’s family and friends. Puntland Government has launched a full investigation into this fatal incident in Iskushuban District.

The Ministry confirms that the trainer was accompanying PMPF forces on a Government-approved mission targeting pirates towards Hul-Anod, a coastal area pirates wish to use as a criminal base and where hijacked ships have been held for ransom. In March 2011, Somali pirates holding a Danish family as hostages ambushed Puntland security forces in Hul-Anod, killing five soldiers and injuring others. Puntland Government is deploying PMPF forces along the coast to prevent piracy and other crimes.

— Ministry of Security and DDR Puntland State of Somalia