Somali law enforcement authorities detain eight pirates on the East Coast of Puntland shortly after the release of a Bangladeshi vessel hijacked by the notorious group operating in the region's waters. The pirates had collaborated closely with the Al-Shabaab group during a period of increased piracy in Somalia. Efforts to arrest and prosecute pirates have intensified in response. Puntland Police Force confirms the arrest of eight individuals involved in the hijacking of the Bangladesh-flagged ship MV Abdullah. While the recovery of ransom funds remains unconfirmed, paying ransoms may embolden further pirate attacks, warns a Puntland police officer. The decrease in pirate activity along the Somali coast is attributed in part to the efforts of the Indian Navy, which has apprehended numerous pirates and brought them to trial outside Somalia. Reports suggest that Somali pirates released the MV Abdullah after receiving a $5 million ransom, though it remains unclear if any arrests were made after the ransom was paid. Increased surveillance along the coastline by the Puntland Marine Police Force, supported by international partners, has contributed to stabilizing the region despite ongoing challenges posed by groups like Al-Shabaab.