Critical of the government’s directive, Mr Nuur adds: “People trying to make ends meet are being pulled into a war against a powerful group that even the government has difficulties fighting. Just imagine how we feel as civilians.”
Diriye denies that businesses are shutting down or that owners are being forced to install CCTV cameras.
However, he acknowledges that some businessmen have fears, but says the government does its best to reassure them and to protect them.
“The city is calm and business is smooth,” Diriye adds.
But Asiyo Mohamed Warsame tells the BBC that masked gunmen killed her 40-year-old brother Dahir Mohamed Warsame in his shop in Mogadishu’s Yaqshid district in October after he installed CCTV cameras under pressure from the security forces.
“He left behind six children, with the youngest being only four months old,” she says.
Shopkeeper Ismael Hashi, 33, says he shut his business after anonymous calls from suspected al-Shabab operatives.
“They knew my name plus more. It was as if they already knew everything about me,” he tells the BBC.
Mr Hashi adds that he later received a call from the police telling him to open his shop – and when he ignored them he was detained for a few days before being released.
Mr Hashi says he has now reopened his business.
“I still have the CCTV cameras installed on the government’s orders but I know the government cannot protect me if someone were to decide to take my life,” he says.
“Every time I’m standing behind the counter and someone I don’t recognise walks in, I get nervous and wonder if this is the person sent to kill me,” Mr Hashi adds.
Sidow Abdullahi Mohamed, 39, tells the BBC that he was arrested for failing to install a CCTV camera at his home in Wajir district.
He adds that 14 other people on his street were also arrested.
“We were transferred to the Wadajir district police station where we were detained for hours. We were eventually released after someone with a government ID came and vouched for us and got us out,” Mr Mohamed says.
He adds that he and the other residents have now installed CCTV cameras – but they live in fear.
“As civilians we’re forced to buy the cameras, pay to install them in our homes and risk violence from al-Shabaab. Is this how the government expects to win hearts and minds?”
