NUSOJ Condemns the Murder of Radio Journalist and His Wife in Southern Somalia

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns the brutal murder against a Somali journalist and his wife in the town of Baidoa, 270km Southwest of Mogadishu on early of Thursday morning on 30 April, 2015, becoming the first journalist to be slain in Somalia this year.

Unknown gunmen attacked the house of a broadcast journalist Daud Ali Omar, a program producer for Radio Baidoa and killed him on the spot along with his pregnant wife Hawa Abdi Adan around 1:15am on Thursday 30 April, 2015, in the town of Baidoa, witnesses said. The attackers also killed the journalist’s neighbor.

Details of the killing are still unclear but reports from colleagues say the bodies had bullet holes in the head and chests. They were buried was buried at Abow-Asharow cemetery, west of Baidoa on Thursday morning.

“It’s a shocking trend as we lost a very respected colleague.” Mohamoud Mohamed Kheyre, Director of Radio Baidoa said “We mourn for his loss.”

Authorities in Baidoa blamed the attack blamed Shabab for the Attack and the motive behind the attack is still unclear. Colleagues and journalists say that, “Omar was targeted for his profession as a journalist.”

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns the attack in the strongest terms possible and calls for the authorities in Baidoa to launch a thorough investigation and bring the killers to the courts of law and provide adequate protection to the media professionals.

“We condemn the cold-blooded murder in the strongest terms possible and call for the authorities to launch swift investigation into the case.” Mohamed Ibrahim, NUSOJ Secretary General said, “We join our members and colleagues in mourning for the loss and express our sympathies and condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of late Omar.”

Late Daud Ali Omar 35, started contributing to Radio Baidoa as Program Producer since August 2012 and used to produce a morning talk show called “Subax Wanaagsan” or “Good Morning”. He left behind three children; two daughters aged 11 and 9 and a 7 year old son.