Armed men kill reporter in Somali town

Somali journalist Abdirizak Ali Abdi alias Silver, who worked for Daljir Radio, was killed in Galkayo town, north of Mogadishu on November 18, 2014. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The killing of Abdi brings to three the number of Somali journalists killed in the war-torn country this year.
  • He is also the fifth journalist killed in Galkayo town in recent years, three of them working with Daljir Radio.

MOGADISHU

Men armed with pistols killed a journalist in Galkayo town, 750 km north of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Tuesday evening.

Mr Abdirizak Ali Abdi alias Silver, was working with Daljir Radio, a broadcaster based in Galkayo town and was also reporting from the town for Horn Cable TV, a largely Somali news and programmes television.

Director of Daljir Mohamed Abdulahi Koshin, confirmed the incident and reported that the attackers shot Abdi in the head and chest. He died on the spot according to witnesses.

“The Journalist was killed by two hooded men in the town,” said Mr Koshin.

Mr Abdifatah Omar Ghedi, the programmes editor at Daljir Radio, also expressed shock.

“Silver was a young, dynamic man who has contributed greatly to the local media,” said Mr Ghedi.

NO ARREST MADE

Security forces for Puntland, a semi-autonomous state in North-eastern Somalia, arrived in the area but did not make any arrest.

The killing of Abdi brings to three the number of Somali journalists killed in the war-torn country this year.

He is also the fifth journalist killed in Galkayo town in recent years, three of them working with Daljir Radio.

Tens of journalists and media personnel have been killed in Somalia, rendering the country one of the most dangerous for media personnel in the world.

The National Union of Somali Journalists and chairman of the Media Association to Puntland Feysal Khalif condemned the killing.